Argentine Football Association President Claudio Tapia has announced that national coach Lionel Scaloni has no plans to leave his position as head coach after leading Argentina to World Cup glory.
The Argentines overcame France 4-2 on penalties to add to the Copa America title they won the previous year. The match had to be decided on penalties.
With the team’s most recent victory, Scaloni joined previous Brazil managers Zagallo and Carlos Alberto Parreira as the only managers in history to win both competitions.
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The 44-year-old’s contract expires later this week, and it has been rumored that he may take on a prominent role at the club level. Tapia, however, does not see that happening.
“I have no doubt he will continue to be the head coach of the Argentina team,” AFA president 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 July 2018, when he took over temporarily. He also defeated Italy in the inaugural Finalissima earlier this year to claim the title.
The choice to name Scaloni as Jorge Sampaoli’s replacement following Russia 2018’s round of 16 loss to eventual winners France was not made unanimously.
“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.”
