Argentina’s Lionel Scaloni: from accidental manager to World Cup success
Scaloni’s Journey to Management
Lionel Scaloni, the manager of the Argentina national team, has achieved significant success, including guiding the team to a World Cup victory. His path to this role began unexpectedly after the 2018 World Cup, a tournament that saw Argentina exit in the round of 16 after a 4-3 defeat to France. The previous manager, Jorge Sampaoli, struggled with the team’s performance and subsequently left his position.
With the Argentinian Football Association (AFA) facing financial constraints, Scaloni, who was then the under-21 manager and had served as Sampaoli’s assistant, was appointed as a temporary solution. He was initially tasked with overseeing six friendly matches until the end of the year, primarily because he was the most affordable option available.
During this period, Scaloni continued his work with the under-21 squad, leading them in the L’Alcudia tournament in Valencia. A crucial aspect of his early tenure involved re-engaging Lionel Messi, who had been silent about his international future following Argentina’s disappointing 2018 campaign and a previous brief retirement after the 2016 Copa América final.
Reconnecting with Messi and Building Team Cohesion
Scaloni understood the importance of Messi to the national team. To persuade Messi to return, Scaloni enlisted the help of his assistant, Pablo Aimar, who was Messi’s childhood idol. Together, they presented Messi with a vision for a revitalised team, with Messi at its core. This approach resonated with Messi, potentially due to a shared history within Argentina’s youth football system.
Scaloni, Aimar, and another assistant, Walter Samuel, were all part of José Pékerman’s Under-20 World Cup-winning team in 1997. Messi himself was part of a later successful youth team under Pékerman’s influence. This shared background and Pékerman’s emphasis on developing players as individuals, not just athletes, mirrored Scaloni’s own philosophy.
A key element of Scaloni’s management style is fostering strong relationships and team unity. His analyst, Matías Manna, has noted that a shared barbecue, or ‘asado’, can be as beneficial as numerous tactical sessions. This focus on togetherness is particularly vital in major tournaments, where players spend extended periods together under intense pressure.
Messi’s role within the team has also evolved under Scaloni. He has become a more vocal leader, and his teammates appear to play for him, viewing him as both a football icon and a peer. Scaloni has described this dynamic, stating that Messi has a group of friends who are willing to give their all for him, seeing him as a ‘god’ but also as ‘a kid from the barrio’.
Emotional Leadership and Tactical Flexibility
Scaloni’s leadership is characterised by his calmness under pressure, exemplified by his remark after a defeat by Saudi Arabia and a victory against the Netherlands in Qatar: “The sun will rise tomorrow.” However, he has also shown significant emotion, particularly during this current tournament. He was visibly moved after the win over Egypt and was unable to complete an interview.
His emotional displays have led to his players affectionately calling him ‘the crybaby’ (llorona). During the team talk before the 2022 World Cup final against France, Scaloni became so emotional he could not deliver his instructions and had to ask Aimar to continue. Despite this, the team did not lose the final, suggesting that his vulnerability has not undermined his authority but rather endeared him to his squad.
Scaloni’s approach prioritises people over rigid tactical formations. While game plans are important, he believes football also involves heart, gut instinct, and resilience. He has shown flexibility in his team selections, making adjustments during tournaments based on circumstances. This was evident in Qatar, where players like Alexis MacAllister, Enzo Fernandez, and Julian Alvarez gained prominence as the tournament progressed.
He treats his players as individuals, not merely as tactical pieces, which has earned him high regard within the squad. Emi Martinez has stated that Scaloni is destined to be the best manager in the history of the Argentine national team. Scaloni himself acknowledges that he was not a ‘big player’ but rather a ‘support player’ and a ‘nice guy’, which perhaps contributes to his ability to connect with his team on a personal level.
The emphasis on team bonding, such as sharing an asado before a quarter-final against Switzerland, highlights Scaloni’s belief that building a strong team off the pitch translates to stronger performance on it. This focus on identity and emotional intelligence over strict ideology has been a hallmark of his successful tenure.
Scaloni’s journey, from an accidental appointment to potentially becoming only the second manager after Vittorio Pozzo to win two World Cups, underscores the impact of his unique leadership style.
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Source: theguardian.com
