Scaloni leaves Argentina future up in the air: “We’ve got lots to discuss”

Lionel Scaloni still has not decided whether he will remain in charge of the Argentina national team. The coach acknowledged that there is a willingness to sit down and negotiate with the AFA, but admitted that after the defeat to Spain in the World Cup final, he needs to analyze what happened before making a decision.

The Argentine manager reappeared before the media after a period of disconnecting following the blow suffered in the final and made it clear that, for now, there is no news regarding his renewal.

Scaloni: “The desire is there”

The coach explained that he has still not been able to meet with the AFA president to talk about his future.

“As for my situation, there is no news. I didn’t meet with the president because we couldn’t. He is in Paraguay and we will talk. There is the utmost willingness to sit down and, when there is something to communicate, we will do so.”

Scaloni acknowledged that he still wants to continue, although he also left open the possibility that the decision could change after analyzing all the factors.

“The desire is there, but there are a lot of aspects that we have to sit down and talk about. Naturally, after such an emotional tournament, with everything that happened, you rethink things. We’ll see what we do.”

For now, the coach called for caution and rejected reports treating any decision as a done deal.

“Everything that comes out is not true. We will communicate when the time comes. For now, everything is the same as before. We are working for this match.”

The blow of losing the World Cup final

Scaloni acknowledged that the defeat to Spain was especially painful for a group that was one match away from winning the World Cup again.

“We were on the verge of another world title and it is clear that it hit hard.”

Despite the blow, the coach said that managing Argentina continues to be a special experience for him.

“I have always said that the place where I am now is the dream job, and that is not going to change.”

Now he will have to sit down with the federation’s leadership to define the next step of a project that already won the 2021 Copa América, the 2022 World Cup and the 2024 Copa América before falling just short of another world title.

Argentina begins a new stage

While his future remains up in the air, Scaloni has already begun preparing a squad overhaul.

The coach explained that the end of the World Cup represents the right time to give opportunities to new players, following a strategy similar to the one he used after the 2018 World Cup in Russia.

“A World Cup has ended and it is a good time for some turnover. Most of them will still be here and they are young people.”

The goal, he explained, is not driven by a personal decision, but by the need to prepare the national team’s future.

“We work for the national team, not for anything personal. It is something we had to do and we think it can bear fruit and it may take time, but with the mindset that these new boys can stay.”

Scaloni wanted to be there for Messi’s farewell

Another topic the coach addressed was Lionel Messi’s farewell with the Argentina national team.

Scaloni acknowledged that he did everything possible so that the captain could have that moment in front of his fans.

“A player like Messi deserves this farewell and I personally did my bit because I want to be there.”

The coach explained that, precisely because of the uncertainty surrounding his own future, he considered it important to seize this opportunity.

“And today, since I don’t know if I will be there later on, we pushed for him to be there.”

For Scaloni, the time to honor Messi is now.

“If a tribute has to be done, it is now, because later on the magic is not the same after some time, and I think now is the moment for him to feel that affection.”

As Argentina begins preparing a new generation, Scaloni will also have to decide whether he wants to continue as the coach responsible for leading that transition. For now, the door is open, but the renewal is still not finalized.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇪🇸 here.