World Cup winner Lionel Scaloni decides to step down as Argentina manager

29 November 2023 , 18:40

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World Cup winner Lionel Scaloni decides to step down as Argentina manager

Lionel Scaloni is expected to step down as Argentina boss after next summer's Copa America.

Scaloni, 45, hopes to make it three for three in major tournaments as manager of Lionel Messi and co, having won the 2021 edition and triumphing at last year's World Cup. But despite signing a new deal in February which runs until 2026, the upcoming Copa America is set to mark the end of his reign, with the ex- West Ham defender tipped to replace Carlo Ancelotti at Real Madrid.

Ancelotti has been heavily linked with the vacant Brazil job and could even take over before the tournament. Next year's Copa America will be held in the United States, with the final due to be played in Miami, where Messi notably plays his club football.

That could be Scaloni's last dance, as multiple reports from South America state that the 45-year-old has made up his mind and will quit following the tournament. Scaloni is still likely to be part of the Argentine delegation which will attend the group stage draw on Thursday, December 7.

Argentine outlet Doble Amarilla this week reported that Real Madrid have been eyeing his services, with the Argentina job being his first senior managerial role. Across 67 games in charge, Scaloni boasts an impressive 69 per cent win rate; winning 46 games, drawing 15 and losing just 6, all with a goal difference of plus 98.

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During the last international break, he admitted that he needed to think about his future. "The national team needs a coach who has all the energy," Scaloni explained after beating Brazil 1-0. "The bar is high. I'm going to think about what I am going to do."

Get involved! Who should get the Argentina job after Lionel Scaloni? Let us know your pick in the comments section.

Lionel Messi and Lionel Scaloni could both wave goodbye after the Copa America (ALEJANDRO PAGNI/AFP via Getty Images)

There's also the looming question over Messi's future, too. Set to continue until the Copa America, the Inter Miami superstar could also wave goodbye to his illustrious international career when the tournament ends.

Scaloni recently gave his verdict and told BoboTV : "I told Leo that he was happy on the pitch, that he should keep playing as long as he can. He showed us that in soccer there are no limits, and that's amazing. In his career he started as a striker, played as a winger and now we see him as a midfielder. He can play wherever he wants, and the team is built around him. I think he can continue playing in the national team, but the decision is his."

Nathan Ridley