By Milcah Tanimu

Lionel Scaloni, the coach who guided Argentina to victory in the 2021 Copa America and the recent World Cup in Qatar, has hinted at the possibility of resigning after five years in the role. The surprising announcement came after Argentina’s 1-0 World Cup qualifying win against Brazil in Rio de Janeiro on Tuesday.

Expressing his thoughts on the matter, Scaloni stated, “Argentina needs a coach who has all the energy possible and who is well. I need to stop the ball and start thinking; I have a lot of things to think about during this time.” He acknowledged the challenges of maintaining success and emphasized the high expectations that come with coaching Argentina.

While making it clear that it’s not a final farewell, Scaloni mentioned the need to consider his future and evaluate the complexities of continuing in his role. He expressed his intention to have discussions with the FA president and the players before reaching a decision.

Lionel Scaloni took over as Argentina’s coach in August 2018, succeeding Jorge Sampaoli. Under his leadership, Argentina secured the 2021 Copa America title, ending a 28-year major title drought. Additionally, Scaloni guided the team to World Cup glory in Qatar, marking Argentina’s first World Cup victory since 1986.