There has been plenty of wailing and gnashing of teeth in Argentina following the national team’s disastrous World Cup campaign so far.
Yet legendary Argentinian manager Marcelo Bielsa, who was unveiled as Leeds United's new boss on Monday afternoon, believes his country's fortunes are about to turn ahead of Tuesday’s pivotal meeting with Nigeria.
A humiliating 3-0 defeat to Croatia last Thursday has left Argentina in crisis, with reports that the players tried and failed to have coach Jorge Sampaoli sacked following that abject surrender.
Anything less than a victory over Nigeria in Saint Petersburg will see Argentina eliminated at the group stage of a World Cup for the first time since 2002, when Bielsa was in charge.
Argentina must win and hope that Iceland fail to beat Croatia, who have already qualified for the last 16 and require only one point to secure top spot in Group D.
But speaking at his unveiling as Leeds manager in the Gary Speed Suite at Elland Road, Bielsa insisted he still has faith in Argentina, Lionel Messi and Sampaoli, who succeeded him in charge of Chile in 2012.
“I think we’re going to see the best of Argentina from tomorrow onwards,” said Bielsa during a press conference which lasted 82 minutes.
“I firmly believe in the quality of the players. In particular in [Lionel] Messi’s leadership, which will come to the fore. The knowledge of the management and backroom team will show itself.
“The two matches so far will be a grounding to respond to put in place the style of play the national team wants to see. There will be a different Argentina moving forward.
“Gerard Martino, former manager of Barcelona, has said how difficult it is being around the squad because of the high expectations on the team.
“I have 100 per cent confidence. That is not me wishing for something. I think the players will get their way out of it.”
On Messi, he said: “There is no one better placed than Messi to tell you he has to pass another exam at every juncture.
“He is where he is because he has demonstrated quality every time he needs to.
“I hope with all my strength he demonstrates what he can do tomorrow. I am convinced he will.”
Bielsa’s appointment is a huge coup for Leeds as they look to return to Premier League for the first time since 2004.
“I’ve seen all 51 games played last season, plus the friendlies in Asia,” he added.
“I’ve got opinions and made my mind up about all the players.
“The club have 15 players more than they need. And we still need four or five different positions on the field where we need to strengthen.
“I think moving forward in a football sense, the squad shouldn’t be too numerous, with too many players who aren’t getting game time.
“Anybody leaving will be more due to the fact I like a trimmed down, lean squad so everyone is getting regular game time.
“[But] I can’t ignore the fact there are 46 games in this competition and the potential that 18-20 weeks where you play two games per week if we’ve made progress in the cup competitions.
“We have one or two youngsters who could be available in this situation so that we can add those to the squad as a whole, but we might need to add one or two more players.”
