Marcos Rojo’s switch to Racing Club from Boca Juniors caught many Argentine football fans off guard. It was a surprising move. But what shocked people even more was what Racing’s new coach said about needing a certain kind of player.
Gustavo Costas, the 62-year-old coach, wasn’t trying to insult his new signing. Not at all. He felt his squad had too many "nice guys." He was genuinely thrilled to bring in someone tougher, someone with an edge.
Rojo himself found the whole thing pretty amusing. "What did Costas tell me when he asked me to come?" Rojo joked. "He said he needed a son of a b**** on the team."
Costas didn’t hold back when explaining his unique request. "We have a squad full of good boys," he said, quite directly. "Too pretty, if you ask me. I want them to be a bit meaner. It’s really important for everyone to commit more to this club."
He continued, laying out his vision. "We need people who speak up. And they need to speak loudly. Those things matter a lot in football. So, being a ‘son of a b****’ in this sense? That’s a good thing for us." Costas made it clear he was looking for vocal leaders, players who aren’t afraid to challenge or push their teammates. It’s about building a team with more grit and less politeness, ensuring everyone fights harder for the club.