In the aftermath of Argentina’s 4-3 World Cup last 16 defeat to France on Saturday, Jorge Sampaoli was in defiant mood and vowed to continue in his post despite an unsatisfactory showing at Russia 2018 that has already led to swathes of the press and general public back home calling for his head.
According to one outlet, TNT Sports, the Argentine Football Association, known as the AFA, will announce the termination of his contract, which wasn’t due to expire until after Qatar 2022, shortly – which forces us to look at the potential candidates to replace the embattled figure.
Diego Simeone
For his history in the iconic Albiceleste shirt with which he won its last trophy, the Copa America, back in 1993, in addition to impressive achievements at Atletico Madrid with a brand of football that demands sacrifice and results, El Cholo is the first natural candidate on the list. He was so after the exits of Sabella, Martino and Bauza too and though a leaked audio that emerged after the 3-0 humbling against Croatia showed his passion and concern for the national team remains a constant, his disapproval of the power a group baptised as “the friends of Messi” yields may prove detrimental yet again in contracting the charismatic leader.
Mauricio Pochettino
The other “European” option of course plies his trade at Premier League outfit Tottenham Hotspur, where performances and results made him a candidate to succeed Zinedine Zidane at Real Madrid before his chairman Daniel Levy priced the Bernabeu giants out of approaching the former Espanyol centre back and instead pushed them towards unsettling the Spanish national team by appointing Julien Lopetegui. Like Simeone, he has a history with the national team after representing them in Japan and South Korea in 2002 whilst, à la Pep Guardiola, following the teachings of Marcelo Bielsa.
Jorge Burruchaga
The scorer of the winning goal in the 1986 World Cup final won by Argentina, Burruchaga’s generation haven’t had a look in with regards to steering their homeland back to winning ways save for the disappointing term Sergio Batista spent at the helm that was cut short after an unsatisfactory 2011 Copa America. Indeed, when rumours swirled that the AFA may have to replace Sampaoli mid-tournament owing to poor results and an alleged player mutiny, Burruchaga was among the main candidates listed to command the Nigeria match.
Matias Almeyda
Chosen for two World Cups and a serial winner in Italy at Lazio as a player, the “Bald One” as he is known despite his flowing locks, is one of the youngest hopefuls on this list at 44 years old and has already won the Liga MX with Chivas as a coach. Among fans in his native land however, he is unfancied for the top job in Argentine management and is meanwhile earmarked as a candidate to replace Juan Carlos Osorio as Mexico chief instead.
Marcelo Gallardo
Arguably the strongest domestically-based candidate due to his winning nature, Gallardo is known for his success in mano-a-mano clashes and at Buenos Aires giants River Plate both as a player and coach where Copa Libertadores crowns were claimed in 1996, the same year he won an Olympic gold medal with the national team, and 2015. At just 42 however, some feel may not quiet be ready to assume such a high-pressure role but he is fancied heavily to be called upon in the coming years.
Ricardo Gareca
The 60-year-old is the oldest shot caller mentioned here but has been the recipient of worldwide plaudits for his work in leading Peru to World Cup qualification for the first time in 36 years. As his Vélez Sársfield team that won the league twice at the turn of the decade was heralded as one of the best in recent times, added international experience since then will stand strongly in Gareca’s favour.
