In Argentina there are no cracks regarding the continuity of Lionel Scaloni in front of the Selectionand from Chiqui Tapia To the person most unrelated to football they would think the same. However, the DT’s bombshell in the Maracana after the historic victory against Brazilleft the people of the three-time world champion absorbed, attentive to what may happen in the coming days or weeks. But also with an eye on the future.
“Now it’s time for an important thing that I wanted to say…”, the man from Pujato said at the close of a press conference that was a bucket of cold water in the midst of the celebrations for Otamendi’s goal, the cataract of records that the Scaloneta reached, the top of the Qualifying standings and the delirium of the fans who had banked on the brutal Rio police.
Scaloni’s catharsis, which at this time is being read and analyzed with various interpretations, depending on who makes it, did not last a minute: it could have been a message for Tapia and the AFA leadership, an authentic sign of fatigue, a diagnosis about the news of the team or various things that were accumulating.
It was exactly 55 seconds in which there was no questioning and in which several phrases can be highlighted, among them one that left the mystery open: “This National Team needs a coach who has all possible energies and may it be well.”
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The world champion coach warned that he will take some time to think and also added: “The bar is very high.”
The champion coach of America and the World always made it clear that the most important thing was the Argentine shirt, which was above any name. And just as there was a time after Menotti o Billiardsthe other two who sit at your table, the day will come when you will have to think about who takes the place of Stairs. Nobody imagined that DT himself would raise that possibility so soon.
Scaloni said that “this is not goodbye” but he left the door open to a possible exit, and what he talks to Tapia or what the players can tell him will be key, with Messi and those leading the way, who are determined to convince him to continue. But if not this DT, who?
Pending announcements and confirmations, Argentina needs to review its coaches to determine who could fit. the position of coach of the National Team in case Scaloni steps forward and says “enough for me.”
Unlike Brazil, which seems to have to resort to the arrival of a foreign coach like Carlo Ancelotti, in these lands there are several candidates willing to face such a challenge, defend the champion title in a Copa America 2024 massive event with Concacaf teams and the same objective in a World Cup 2026 of 48 selections, which offers a very good classification after six dates of Qualifiers. The issue is the very high bar that Scaloni would set.
The first name that comes up is Marcelo Gallardo, who, coincidence or not, two days before Scaloni’s announcement was presented as the new coach of Al Ittihad in Saudi Arabia after almost a year without a job. Thanks to his successful cycle at River that began in 2014, the Doll established itself as one of the people’s favorites even before Lionel’s arrival to the National Team. Now, except for some unknown clause, he has a (million-dollar) contract with his new club until June 2025, and the intention is for him to remain two more years in the petrodollar league.
Marcelo Gallardo greets Karim Benzema, the great star he will coach at Al-Ittihad.
For global consideration, there are two other coaches in the elite of the football planet who could have sufficient merit to take charge of the National Team that occupies position 1 in the world. FIFA rankingthey are Diego Simeone y Mauricio Pochettino.
Cholo is celebrating twelve uninterrupted years at Atlético de Madrid, a record and a success, since he arrived to save them from relegation and elevated them to the top of Europe. However, his pending and most desired account, which is the National Team, should wait because he has just signed a contractual extension until 2027 with the colchoneros.
Diego Simeone, a symbol of the National Team as a player. Photo: REUTERS/Isabel Infantes.
Something similar happens to Poche, a highly respected figure in the Champions League, who has rubbed shoulders with Guardiola, Klopp and company for some time after his time at Tottenham and Paris Saint Germain, and his current career at the powerful Chelsea. But the former central defender of the National Team is also tied to a contractual bond, in his case until the end of the 24/25 season.
The chance to break a contract and compensate the clubs is an experience that the AFA will not want to repeat after the resounding failure of the negotiation to acquire the services of Jorge Sampaoli: it had to pay him 1.5 million dollars to the Seville and we remember well how that cycle ended in Russia 2018.
The most earthly options aim to look at South America, a region in which Argentine coaches mark a hegemony both at the club and national team level. Of the many coaches who could aspire to take Scaloni’s place, we can highlight Edward Coudeton a good journey in Brazil, or Gabriel Militowho ended his auspicious cycle at Argentinos Juniors citing fatigue but has a lot of feeling with the coaching staff that works at AFA.
Eduardo Coudet was minutes away from reaching the final of the Libertadores with Inter de Porto Alegre. Photo: EFE/ Andre Coelho.
If the idea is to resort to experience, a coach with a past in the National Team (he led it in the 2006 World Cup) and an expert in coaching, with passes through Colombia and Venezuela, is Joseph Pekerman, who at 74 years old announced that he wants to continue working. He is a little younger Ramon Diazwho has just turned 64 and has a CV that has plenty of reasons to have his first opportunity with the Albiceleste.
¿Y Gerardo Martino, who couldn’t have their World Cup? AND Luis Zubeldia, South American champion? AND Ricardo Gareca, who made history with Peru? AND Matias Almeyda, with impetus and style? There are many names, it is true, although sometimes in football you don’t have to look that far to find what you are looking for.
Ramón Díaz, champion everywhere, shows his validity with Vasco Da Gama in Brazil. Photo: REUTERS / Ricardo Moraes.
Scaloni spoke of his doubts but did not extend them to the rest of his coaching staff. Generous in including Pablo Aimar, Roberto Ayala y Walter Samuel In the praise, this time the DT spoke in a personal capacity about his lack of energy, the need to think and the conversations that he must face, so in a train of assumptions the alternative of a succession of “entrecasa” should not be ruled out either. .
On the day when everyone should be talking about Argentina’s victory at the Maracaná, Lionel Scaloni surprised with an announcement that opens a scenario of uncertainty that promises to be sustained. Although the AFA and 47 million Argentines do not want it.
2023-11-23 09:00:10
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