Lionel Scaloni set to continue as Argentina manager following departure rumours

Lionel Scaloni was rumoured to be leaving the national team

Argentina’s World Cup-winning coach Lionel Scaloni has stated he will continue to lead the team. After their 1-0 victory over Brazil in the 2026 World Cup qualification, Scaloni had said in November that he was thinking about leaving. However, the 45-year-old Argentine has since declared that he will continue to lead the world champions.

After taking over as Argentina‘s coach in 2018, former West Ham player Scaloni guided his team to the Copa America championship in 2021. Then, after they defeated France in the championship game on penalties in Qatar 2022, he guided the South Americans to their first World Cup victory since 1986. Scaloni secured an agreement renewal in February of last year, extending it until beyond the 2026 World Cup.

After taking over as manager in 2018, Scaloni guided Argentina to their most significant accomplishment since the 1986 World Cup in 2021—the Copa America title—and their third World Cup victory the following year.

According to reports from the local press earlier this month, Scaloni—whose contract expires after the 2026 World Cup—agreed with the Argentine Football Association to stay in charge until the end of this summer’s Copa America.

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The 45-year-old manager had stated, following Argentina’s 1-0 victory over Brazil in a 2026 World Cup qualifier, that he was thinking about leaving his position.

“There was a lot of talking, but I always told the truth,” Scaloni said in an interview with Italian television.

“There were moments to think and know what to do. It was not a farewell or anything.

“I was thinking about how the national team goes on and the moment also to allow space for the youngsters, and this is important for us. It was a moment of reflection.”

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