Darío Javier Franco Gatti (born 17 January 1969) is an Argentine football manager and former player who played as a midfielder.

Franco made his football debut in his native country, briefly playing with Newell's Old Boys before joining Spain's Real Zaragoza winning the 1994 Copa del Rey Final and the following season the 1995 UEFA Cup Winners' Cup Final against incumbent Champions and heavy favourites Arsenal F.C.

[citation needed] After his playing career ended, Franco became the manager of Tecos UAG.

The president of the club fired him on Saturday August 18, 2007 after Tecos lost 4–1 to Pachuca in their first game of the season and were then beaten 3–0 by Atlante F.C.

After their second game, a 4–0 defeat to Cruz Azul, Franco was fired[citation needed] and was replaced by Ricardo La Volpe.