Lionel Scaloni has confirmed that he will stay on as head coach of Argentina, at least until the upcoming Copa América.
Scaloni, 45, led the Albiceleste to glory at the Qatar 2022 World Cup and fans had expected him to stay on for the tournament, which will be hosted by the United States in the middle of next year.
However, speculation over his future arose after cryptic comments made by the coach. Following Argentina's 1-0 win over rivals Brazil at the Maracanã stadium in Rio de Janeiro last November, Scaloni threw his future into doubt by expressing tiredness and frustration at issues behind the scenes.
Two months on, the former full-back has now moved to clarify his future in an interview with an Italian TV channel.
“There has been plenty of talk but I’ve always told the truth," said Scaloni. "There were moments to think things over and know what to do. It was not goodbye or anything like that, I was just thinking how the team would continue."
He continued: "It was also the time to give our young men some space and that was important to us.”
The Pujato-born coach also responded to questions about the future of superstar captain Lionel Messi, who now plies his trade in the United States with CF Inter Miami.
“He will continue until he says otherwise. I won’t be the one to say he won’t be coming anymore. I think he’ll continue, especially because he’s happy on the pitch. He is. He’s really himself playing football," Scaloni said.
The Albiceleste coach said Argentines should cherish these final years of Messi's career.
"We always say he has to continue until he can’t do it anymore because after that it’ll be even more difficult for him, but for all of us it’ll be tough not to see him in a pitch anymore," confessed Scaloni.
Looking back on the road to Qatar and winning the World Cup, the ex-Newell's Old Boys and Estudiantes de La Plata player said that “in the end, seeing your people, your friends and the country in general so happy, at such a difficult time as a country, was spectacular."
He stressed, however, that challenges still lie ahead.
"Now we have to continue. We enjoy that bliss, but we move on," declared Scaloni.
– TIMES/NA
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