Lionel Scaloni made a shock admission after Argentina’s World Cup final defeat to Spain.
The 2022 champions deservedly lost in New Jersey, but only 1-0, pushing the favourites to extra time despite being a man down.
Despite an incredibly spirited tournament, Scaloni suggested he may not be around much longer.
The World Cup and Copa America winner said his players call him ‘crybaby’ after the quarter-final, and again was brought to tears when a reporter asked what’s next.
Scaloni admits he may leave his job
He said: “I’ll talk to the president; I already have a general idea of what I want to do.
“I’ll fulfil my contract (it expires in December) and then I’ll see. I also feel the need to think.”
He then began to cry as he said: “I feel the need to think. I don’t know if I’ll be able to do something as big as this, and maybe we’ll have to talk about it.
“I’m grateful to the president for giving me this opportunity to be here…”
The room applauded and Scaloni wiped away the tears before continuing.
He added: “Being where I am is like being in everyone’s dream place.
“We tried until the very last moment to give our all as a coaching staff and as players, and I think it’s only fair that I take this time to reflect.
“This place is wonderful, wonderful, a dream place. I never thought…
“I need to stop, I’m not capable [of talking].
“The coaching staff and I never imagined we’d be here. So, to continue, a lot of things are needed.
“To reset, to form a group like this, which will hardly ever be formed again. And it hurts me deeply. I’m sorry.”
Scaloni’s previous teary breakdown
Earlier in the tournament Scaloni similarly broke down after an epic 3-2 win over Egypt from 2-0 down.
Asked how he was feeling, he responded: “I can’t look up. I’m sorry. I’m very emotional.”
He paused, and then said: “Well, that’s it. I have to go.”
Later, in his official media conference, he commented: “I always get emotional, sometimes tears come out, they even came out in the locker room.
“I’ve been called “La Llorona” (crybaby), but I don’t care because experiencing this emotion… For Pablo (Aimar), Ratón (Ayala) and Walter (Samuel). For all of us who played football for 20 years, being able to feel what we felt today is incredible.
“I don’t know what other coaches think, but I think most of those who played football want to be coaches because of what happened today, because of the adrenaline of trying to turn a game around. That’s what we pursue our whole lives.”
Leave a Reply