Claudio Borghi took over as manager of the team in 2008, despite a good start, Borghi resigned after losing 3 matches in a row he was replaced by Miguel Angel Santoro in his fourth spell as manager of the team. Many players were brought to revert the horrible 2007 campaign. Higher profile players such as Federico Higuaín, Leonel Rios, Emmanuel Centurion, Leandro Depetris, Leonel Nuñez and Dario Gandin were brought but the performance was not was expected. They were eliminated from the Copa Sudamericana in the 1st round and had three consecutive defeats in the 2008 Apertura (Newell's 0-1, 0-2 to Lanus and Huracan 0-1)that finalized the blow that was seeing the team fail to secure a top spot or enter an international competition.The Reds are led by Americo Gallego, who left the champion with Independiente in Apertura 2002 after Santoro's resignation after a few dates in the Clausura 2009. Under the leadership of Santoro, Independent is positioned at the 18th place of the 2008 Open over Rosario Central and River Plate 19 º 20 º. In summer, the club signed Eduardo Tuzzio and Paraguayan Diego Gavilan.In Clausura 2009 Independiente had a very poor campaign in finishing 16th which angered a lot of fans.Hopes are now renewed for the Apertura 2009, due to the signings of talented striker Andrés Silvera, Carlos Matheu, Ignacio Piatti, and other 5 first level players. Coach Americo Gallego reduced the size of the squad, letting go of 17 players including star attacking midfielder Daniel Montenegro. These moves seem to have paid off so far, with Independiente chasing the title midway through the competition.