Racing Club president Diego Milito has received unequivocal public backing from Sarmiento manager Facundo Sava, who cited his own past struggles in Avellaneda and his background in psychology to defend the club leadership as supporters increase pressure. Radio la Red reported the remarks, noting that Sava urged patience as the board works through a turbulent sporting phase.
The intervention arrives as Racing prepares for a crucial league fixture against River Plate in Avellaneda, scheduled to take place in nearly two weeks at the Estadio Presidente Perón—widely known as el Cilindro. Sava, who managed Racing in 2016 and helped save the club from relegation as a player in 2008, argued that early leadership mistakes are an inevitable part of a developmental process that requires sustained institutional backing.
Facundo Sava Backs Diego Milito Through Racing Club Turmoil
According to Radio la Red, Sava addressed the tense atmosphere surrounding the club and the heavy scrutiny directed at Milito, who serves as president alongside football director Sebastián Saja. The Sarmiento coach insisted that the former striker remains fully committed to the institution’s long-term well-being despite the current on-field struggles of the 2026 season.
“I have no doubts that Diego Milito wants the best for Racing,” Sava said in the interview broadcast by Radio la Red. “I know him as a person, I know what he thinks, what he wants, and he has to keep insisting.”
Sava acknowledged that missteps have occurred during the current administration but framed them as necessary milestones. “Of course he can make mistakes and he will recognize the mistakes because it happened to him a thousand times, and you have to keep moving forward,” Sava added.
Psychological Context and First-Hand Experience in Avellaneda
Drawing on his formal training as a psychologist and his extensive history with the club, Sava evaluated the emotional climate currently affecting the squad and management. The Sarmiento manager knows the pressure of the Cilindro intimately, having visited the stadium just fifteen days prior with his current squad.
His connection to Racing spans multiple eras. As a player, Sava was a vital figure in the 2008 promotion playoff against Belgrano, scoring a goal and providing an assist to secure the club’s place in the top flight. Eight years later, he took over as head coach during Milito’s final professional season as a player.
“Me parece que hay que seguir apoyándolo, que es un proceso y que tiene que seguir madurando,” Sava stated via Radio la Red, emphasizing that the current sporting project demands time and structural consistency rather than reactionary changes.
Standings Implications Ahead of the Fixture Against River Plate
The public show of support comes at a critical juncture for Racing in the league table. The squad is looking to close the gap on River Plate, who currently sit eighth in the standings, as both clubs battle for positioning ahead of the upcoming Play-Off rounds.
Racing recently secured a much-needed victory at home prior to Sava’s visit with Sarmiento, easing some of the immediate tension in Avellaneda. However, the upcoming clash against River Plate represents a defining test for the team’s aspirations in the current tournament phase.
What Remains Unresolved in Avellaneda
It is unclear whether the club leadership can steer the team out of its current sporting slump before the match against River Plate. While external figures like Sava continue to offer public backing, the board has not yet detailed specific adjustments to the football operations overseen by Milito and Saja as preparations for the upcoming fixture continue.
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