Lionel Scaloni will stay on as Argentina’s head coach until 2030. The man who delivered the 2022 World Cup in Qatar and watched the next one slip away at MetLife Stadium has signed up for another full cycle, this time without Lionel Messi.
AFA president Claudio Tapia confirmed the renewal at the Lionel Andrés Messi Training Center in Ezeiza on Thursday, announcing that Scaloni and his staff would remain in place for the 2027-2030 period. His previous deal had been set to run out in December.
“This is the best outcome for Argentine football; it’s something everyone wanted,” Tapia told reporters at the announcement.
Scaloni, who had publicly wavered about his future after the loss in New Jersey, said the decision followed conversations with his staff and family.
Read also: Carrick floated for Palace on talkSPORT, but the Eagles are talking to Thomas Frank
“After giving it some thought and discussing it with my coaching staff and those close to me, we decided that continuing is the best path forward,” he said, per Fox Sports.
A third World Cup in sight
The extension puts Scaloni on course to become the first coach to lead Argentina at three World Cups. He took charge after the 2018 round-of-16 exit, won the 2022 title, and lost the 2026 final 1-0 to Spain. Ferran Torres settled that match in the 106th minute.
Across his tenure, Scaloni has now managed 107 matches, 79 wins, 18 draws and 10 losses, according to World Soccer Talk. His trophy cabinet includes two Copa Americas (2021 and 2024), the 2022 Finalissima and the 2022 World Cup.
The first squad without Messi
Messi retired from international football in the weeks after the Spain defeat and played a farewell match against Benin in Buenos Aires on 6 October. He leaves as Argentina’s all-time leading scorer.
Read also: Liverpool identify Virgil van Dijk successor – but Real Madrid could ruin their plans
Scaloni has already named his first 28-player squad without him, per Morocco World News, and framed the new cycle as a reset built around younger players.
“A new era begins, we will give a chance to kids who are pushing from behind,” Scaloni said, per World Soccer Talk.
Samuel steps aside
The renewal does bring one change inside the coaching group. Assistant Walter Samuel is leaving after eight years alongside Scaloni, with no immediate replacement planned.
“Walter Samuel will start his career alone. Eternal gratitude to a friend,” Scaloni said.
Read also: Kai Havertz picks Gyökeres as Arsenal’s sorest loser in training: ‘He’s angry’
Argentina’s first two matches of the new cycle are friendlies against Uruguay on 14 November and Costa Rica on 18 November.
Read also: De La Fuente reveals why Lamine Yamal was left out despite being fit to play Kopiér rubrik
