Why did Argentina’s World Cup-winning coach want to quit?

Lionel Scaloni is a man who is truly living the dream.

This 45-year-old was initially appointed as the interim head coach of Argentina in 2018, having previously overseeing the under-20 team. Many doubted his abilities, but he proved them all wrong.

Under Scaloni’s guidance, Argentina clinched the coveted Copa America title in 2021, their first major trophy in a staggering 18 years. And as if that wasn’t enough, they followed it up with a sensational World Cup victory last year, securing their third global championship and their first since way back in 1986.

But the story doesn’t end there. Just this Tuesday, Scaloni led Argentina to a historic 1-0 triumph over their greatest rivals, Brazil, at the legendary Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro. Not only did they claim victory, but they also put an end to Brazil’s remarkable 64-game unbeaten streak in home World Cup qualifiers.

As it stands, Scaloni’s team currently sit comfortably at the top of the South American qualifying standings for the 2026 World Cup, firmly establishing themselves as the dominant force across the globe.

No wonder the football world was left in utter shock when Scaloni made the stunning revelation that he was considering stepping down from his role. The bombshell about his future came during a press conference immediately following Argentina’s glorious victory over Brazil.

Without taking any questions, Scaloni dropped the unexpected news, remarking, “Argentina needs a coach with an abundance of energy… I need to stop the ball and start thinking. There are numerous matters that require my careful consideration during this period.”

“These players have given a lot to the coaching staff and I need to think a lot about what I’m going to do. It’s not goodbye or anything, but I need to think because the bar is very high and it’s complicated to keep going and it’s complicated to keep winning,” he added.

“These guys are making it difficult, so I need to think about it for a while. I will talk to the Football Association president and the players afterwards.”

The exact reasons behind Scaloni’s desire to step away, despite the team’s seemingly smooth sailing, remain elusive. With little official explanation provided, speculation has run rampant, primarily focusing on two main theories: financial considerations and differences of opinion between Scaloni and Claudio Tapia, the president of the Argentine Football Association (AFA).

Some Argentinian media outlets suggested that contractual negotiations and discrepancies in remuneration have influenced Scaloni’s contemplation of leaving. Others revealed that clashes and divergent views between Scaloni and Tapia regarding the team’s direction and management have contributed to this surprising move.

As per the latest report from Argentine national sports daily “Ole,” it appears that there are no issues between Scaloni and the players. The tactician’s main source of dissatisfaction stems from the disorganized management within the AFA, with the primary blame falling on Tapia.

Every time the national team plays, Scaloni and his assistants are burdened with the responsibility of personally dealing with a range of challenging problems, including logistics, training arrangements and financial support. In internal meetings, the coaching staff has openly expressed their “lack of support,” as they find themselves overwhelmed by various trivial matters that have been draining Scaloni’s energy.

Although the recent impressive performance of the national team has momentarily masked these issues, Scaloni has reached a point where he no longer wishes to endure this situation any further.

Scaloni’s sudden announcement has certainly cast a dark cloud over Argentina’s momentous victory. “The celebrations had us all excited, but the news came as a shock,” admitted Nicolas Otamendi, who scored the winning goal against Brazil on Tuesday. “We haven’t had a chance to speak with him yet. We’ll give it some time for emotions to settle, and then we’ll have a conversation.” 

Defender Cristian Romero revealed that Scaloni didn’t mention anything about his decision in the dressing room, but added, “We’ll do our best to persuade him to stay.” Midfielder Alexis Mac Allister expressed that “[Scaloni’s] desires should be respected,” although he expressed his hope that the current coach of the world champions would continue “indefinitely.”

It is noteworthy that once the players’ jubilant celebration on the pitch at Maracana Stadium had quieted down, Scaloni was spotted sharing heartfelt embraces and kisses with other members of the Argentina coaching staff. In a poignant image captured by the cameras, Scaloni and his entire coaching staff posed together for a photograph that now carries a bittersweet undertone, hinting at a possible farewell.

Despite appearances of everything going well, it is clear that not all is well behind the scenes.