Argentina had a disappointing World Cup
The World Cup seems like an age ago now, but cast your mind back six weeks and you might remember Argentina being an absolute shambles. An embarrassing 3-0 defeat to Croatia triggered panic that they might not make it through the group stage despite having the greatest player to ever live in their side.
Thanks to a late Marcos Rojo winner against Nigeria, they proceeded to the knockout stages where they were knocked out by eventual winners France in a seven goal thriller.
That match against France, in which they scored three goals, papered over the cracks of what was a rotten squad, lacking any defensive solidity or tactical consistency from Jorge Sampaoli. Unsurprisingly, Sampaoli was ousted from his post as Argentina coach after the tournament.
The Argentinian FA have confirmed his temporary replacement as former West Ham defender Lionel Scaloni.
#SelecciónMayor La @AFA informa que Lionel Scaloni dirigirá los próximos amistosos de la Selección Argentina, junto con sus colaboradores Pablo Aimar y Martín Tocalli https://t.co/t1sYlxueBI pic.twitter.com/tpKsUX9qHR
— 🇦🇷 Selección Argentina ⭐⭐⭐ (@Argentina) August 2, 2018
The 40-year-old retired from his playing career in 2015 after a 20 year career that took him from Newell’s Old Boys to Atalanta via Deportivo la Coruña and a loan spell at West Ham in 2006.
He began his coaching career at Sevilla as Jorge Sampaoli’s assistant, before joining him in the Argentina set-up. He has now taken over as interim head coach of the Argentina team.
Valencia legend Pablo Aimar and Martín Tocalli will join Scanoli’s coaching staff for their upcoming friendlies.
