Argentina’s coach Lionel Scaloni has spoken for the first time about staying in charge of the national team. Argentina will play three friendlies in the FIFA window. It is in this series that Lionel Messi will be given his farewell. Scaloni gave an interview to the Asian outlet Migu before travelling home for the series.
In the interview, given before he reached Buenos Aires, Scaloni did not say directly whether he would stay. He suggested instead that he does not consider the decision particularly important. On his own future Scaloni said: “We will try, whether we stay or not.”
Scaloni is certain to remain in charge of Argentina until the end of 2026. The Argentine Football Association wants him at least until the 2030 World Cup. He would only stop being the team’s coach if he himself said no to the AFA. So when he speaks of uncertainty, it inevitably creates confusion — and fresh speculation has begun.
Scaloni has called many new faces into the camp for this September window. On that he said: “A new chapter is beginning from now, and we will create the opportunity for it. They really do deserve it. Our main aim in the coming matches will be to give a chance to young players who can adapt to our way of playing. An important, fine chapter is beginning now. This is the time to put trust in these boys who are knocking at the door. I always say age is no yardstick. Whether someone stays or someone new comes in will depend on their performance at their club and on whether we think we need them. But our first aim is to give a chance to everyone who can go on playing in our shirt.”
Speaking about the new generation, Scaloni also compared the present with the period after the Copa America won in the United States two years ago. He said: “Even after the Copa America in 2024 I felt the time ahead would be hard. Because after winning every title, a kind of doubt had arisen with two years still to go to the World Cup. But going back to that place and feeling out whether it was possible to keep competing, I saw that it really was possible.”
On the period after the World Cup he added: “Once the final is over, whether we win or lose is not the point. A new chapter begins from now, and we will create that opportunity. I am not talking about repeating the title. The hard thing is holding on to the feeling people have developed for the team. It will not be easy to do this again. People have identified themselves with this national team. I am afraid, but afraid in a good sense. I think it will be hard to try this again. I am not saying it will be easy. As a coach, as the head of the team, you have to know that it is going to be hard. Naturally we will try, whether we stay or not. That is not the important thing.”
Two months after the defeat by Spain, Scaloni compared the team’s condition at the World Cup in the United States with the Qatar World Cup. He said: “We went into the previous World Cup in a much better state; 95 percent of the players were normal. This time we went there with a lot of limitations. I had a different kind of experience: our players were not 100 percent fit, but we put our trust in them. We had to take much harder decisions than before.”
He added: “We had to take very hard decisions about the players we wanted. What we were told was true, and we had to trust them. It was essential to trust those who have given everything over these eight years. The person matters more than the footballer.”
Source: Goal.com
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