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Scaloni set to sign contract extension with Argentina

The World Cup and Copa América figure among Lionel Scaloni’s success as Argentina coach. He will officially be out of contract this week.

Update:
Argentina's captain and forward Lionel Messi (L) holds the FIFA World Cup Trophy alongside Argentina's coach Lionel Scaloni as they step off a plane upon arrival at Ezeiza International Airport after winning the Qatar 2022 World Cup tournament in Ezeiza, Buenos Aires province, Argentina on December 20, 2022. (Photo by Luis ROBAYO / AFP)
LUIS ROBAYOAFP

Lionel Scaloni says he has no intention of stepping down as Argentina coach after successfully guiding the team to victory at the recent World Cup, Argentine Football Association (AFA) president Claudio Tapia confirmed today. The Albiceleste beat France 4-2 on penalties after a rivetting final that was taken into extra-time then a shootout. Scaloni adds the World Cup to the Copa América crown his team won last year.

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With Argentina’s latest success, Scaloni became just the third manager in history to win both competitions, after Mario Zagallo and Carlos Alberto Parreira who both managed it with Brazil.

Scaloni in demand after World Cup triumph

The 44-year-old’s contract is due to expire on 31 December. He has been tipped to take on a high-profile position at club level, but Tapia does not see that happening. “I have no doubt he will continue as Argentina head coach,” AFA chief Tapia told reporters. “We are both men of our word. We shook hands and we said yes to each other. He is currently travelling but as soon as he comes back we are going to finalise it.”

Scaloni has been in charge since August 2018, taking the reins fro Jorge Sampaoli initially on a caretaker basis. His Argentina side won the inaugural Finalissima earlier this year with a 0-3 victory over European champions Italy. However, the decision to appoint Scaloni as Sampaoli’s successor after defeat to France in the last 16 of Russia 2018 was not a unanimous one. “Ninety-nine per cent of people thought we were wrong or even crazy,” Tapia said. “But this team brought happiness to the people with the three titles they won.”