Argentine managers experiencing ups (and mostly downs) at World Cup
There are more coaches from Argentina at this World Cup than there are from any other country. Here’s how they’re doing in Russia.
While Jorge Sampaoli has had to deal with issues as Argentina try to qualify for the knockout stage, he isn’t the only Argentine worried about his team’s fortunes. Managers from Argentina are well represented in Russia. There are four coaches from the soccer-mad South American nation pacing the sidelines.
Hector Cuper (Egypt), Ricardo Gareca (Peru) and Jose Pekerman (Colombia) are all at this World Cup, experiencing various levels of success and failure since the tournament began a week ago. All the Argentine managers have both played and coached in their native country to varying degrees of success over the past few decades.
The large number is no surprise really given how competitive the Argentine first division can be with teams like Boca Juniors and River Plate and the incredible number of players produced there that end up on European clubs.
A week into the tournament, here’s a look at how these four Argentines are doing, their grade thus far at the tournament and what we can expect from them in the future.
Jorge Sampaoli (Argentina)
Grade: C
Like every manager who has ever coached Argentina at the highest level, the 58-year-old Sampaoli has been pelted with criticism from fans, pundits and the press over the past few days. Expectations are always high each time Argentina enter a World Cup and this past week has been no different.
After a poor start following a 1-1 draw with Iceland, Sampaoli came under fire following Lionel Messi’s less-than-satisfactory performance. Sampaoli’s side have a chance to change their fate with a result against fellow Group D heavyweight Croatia and this coming Tuesday against Nigeria in their final group match.
Whether La Albiceleste can achieve ultimate success in Russia or become a major flop is something yet to be determined. The jury is still out on this team. Win the whole thing and Sampaoli gets an A, but failure to reach at least the semifinals would get him an F and certainly the sack.
Jose Pekerman (Colombia)
Grade: C-
The 68-year-old Pekerman coached his native Argentine at the 2006 World Cup, which ended with a crushing 1-0 loss to hosts Germany in the quarterfinals after he had dropped stars Walter Samuel and Javier Zanetti on the eve of the tournament. After returning to club soccer in Mexico with Toluca and later Tigres, Pekerman took over for Colombia ahead of the 2014 World Cup qualifying tournament.
Losing 1-0 to Japan in their first game over in Group H was not a great start. What Pekerman needs to do now is galvanize his talented side and earn three points Sunday against Poland. Another defeat and Colombia will be eliminated from this tournament.
Despite being in charge of Los Cafeteros since 2012 and helping them go on a quarterfinal run at the last World Cup thanks also to the heroics of James Rodriguez, early elimination in Russia could also spell the end for Pekerman at the helm.
Ricardo Gareca (Peru)
Grade: F
Under the 60-year-old Gareca, Peru qualified for their first World Cup since 1982. Once in Russia, however, the excitement soon turned to dismay after Peru, despite the large crowd cheering for them, lost to Denmark 1-0. The situation in Group C grew even worse for Peru on Thursday after going down early to France and eventually losing 1-0 again.
The long-haired Gareca, who has managed Peru since 2015, his first time at the helm of a national team following a 20-year club career career in management that included stints with famed Argentine clubs Independiente and Velez Sarsfield.
Gareca’s failed attempt in Russia to reach the knockout stage after Peru’s two loses in as many matches is a sign the South Americans and their coach need more experience at international level in order to achieve success.
Next: How far can Russia go at this World Cup?
Hector Cuper (Egypt)
Grade: F
The 62-year-old Cuper has coached some wonderful clubs in the past, including Valencia, Inter Milan and Parma, but his most difficult task was taking on the Pharaohs in 2015 and he eventually helped the African nation qualify for a first World Cup since 1990.
At this World Cup, Cuper’s team recorded two defeats in their first two matches, to Uruguay and hosts Russia, and never looked capable of getting a victory. It’s true Mohamed Salah was unavailable in the first game, but they missed many chances in their 1-0 defeat to Uruguay. They looked out of their element against the surging Russians and lost 3-1.
Egypt play their final Group A match Monday against Saudi Arabia. Cuper could very well be sacked once that match is over, bringing to an end his time at Egypt in what has been a successful World Cup cycle but a very poor tournament.
Indeed, all these men could be out of work by the time the month is out. There’s no shortage of clubs and national teams, however, eager to hire any of these coaches to help their sides excel in the future.