At this summer’s Copa America, seven of the 16 participating nations will be led by Argentine coaches. Lionel Scaloni heads the list as the head coach of the Argentina national team. Marcelo Bielsa leads Uruguay, while Colombia and Venezuela are coached by Nestor Lorenzo and Fernando Batista, respectively.
Chile made a big hire with the appointment of Ricardo Gareca, and Paraguay, who had fired Argentine Guillermo Barros Schelotto in 2023, replaced the former Boca Juniors forward with his compatriot Daniel Garnero. Gustavo Alfaro manages the CONCACAF side Costa Rica, who coached Ecuador at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
This isn’t a new phenomenon in South America and certainly not for the continent’s most prestigious international competition. At the 2015 Copa America, all four semifinalists (Argentina, Chile, Peru, and Paraguay) were coached by Argentine managers. The 2019 edition of the tournament featured three Argentine managers at the semifinal stage.
Managers from Argentina have always been highly sought after at both the domestic and international levels. But why? In South America, it’s a debate that delves into everything from football heritage to inferiority complexes and fanatical patriotism.
Argentina is the land of Alfredo Di Stefano, Diego Maradona, and Lionel Messi. Greatness in football is a virtue that Argentines have come to expect. Their most successful managers at both club and international levels are often revered for their philosophical approaches to football.
The late Cesar Luis Menotti is considered to be Argentina’s greatest football mind. Menotti, who passed away in May at the age of 85, coached Argentina to the World Cup title in 1978. His career highlights included coaching Argentina from 1974 to 1983 and stints with Barcelona, Boca Juniors, and River Plate. Up until his death, Menotti was the Argentina Football Association’s (AFA) director of football.
The chain-smoking tactical guru spoke as eloquently as an award-winning novelist. Menotti’s wisdom helped to position Argentine football, specifically the national team, as a conceptual idea rather than a magnet for passionate fandom.
The national team is a very serious place to be, Menotti said in 2019 after he accepted the AFA’s appointment. Every ball that’s kicked by a player awakens a cultural manifestation. Were going to support that cultural growth because it’s something that clubs cannot do. Only the Argentina national team can.
Menotti also once claimed that a double midfield pivot was a lie.
The ball can be recovered not by the accumulation of troops, but rather through the recovery of space. That’s how (Johan) Cruyffs Holland did it, Menotti said.
The ability to express football ideas as if one were a professor of an advanced university course is synonymous with many past and present coaches from Argentina. Managers from Argentina are often viewed as both tacticians and capable leaders. That assumption can lead to nationalistic debates across South America.
When Colombia hired current manager Lorenzo, a former Argentina national team defender, Colombians joked on social media that an Argentine passport was a requirement for the job. Lorenzo replaced Colombian Reinaldo Rueda, a highly esteemed coach in South America.
To make matters more contentious, Lorenzo is the second Argentine manager to lead Colombia in recent years after Jose Pekerman, who coached Colombia from 2014 to 2018.
I was surprised by Lorenzo’s hire, said former Colombia and Costa Rica national team coach Jorge Luis Pinto in 2022. He doesn’t have the status to manage the Colombian national team.
Efran Pachn is the former president of Bogota-based club Independiente Santa Fe. When Lorenzo was hired, Pachn labeled the decision as ridiculous and embarrassing.
We have (Colombian) coaches who have managed at World Cup tournaments and have enriched other national teams, Pachn said. The smart decision would have been to hire every (Colombian) coach who has been at a World Cup and assemble a staff that way.
Clearly, Pachn let his pride get the best of him. Lorenzo, it turns out, is a capable national team manager. Colombia arrives at the 2024 Copa America on a 19-game unbeaten streak under the Argentine.
Coupled with their perceived tactical acumen, Argentine coaches are also known and respected for their ability to adapt to the different cultural idiosyncrasies of South American football. Domestic leagues throughout the region are littered with Argentine managers. The same can be said for players of Argentine descent. They often leave their country’s first division to join some of South America’s top club sides.
Only arch-rivals and five-time world champions Brazil can confidently look down upon the Albiceleste in a battle of egos. Brazilian clubs are dominating in South America, but the 2022 World Cup title has strengthened Argentina’s hold as the continent’s best national team. But even in Brazil, where the language can be an initial obstacle, some Argentine coaches have had success.
The pay is much better in Brazil, but it’s a trend that has cemented the notion that Argentina produces the best managers in South America. Coaches Gabriel Milito (Clube Atletico Mineiro), Ramon Daz (Vasco da Gama), Eduardo Coudet (Internacional, Nicolas Larcamon (Cruzeiro), and Juan Pablo Vojvoda (Fortaleza) joined more than 40 Argentine players who featured in Brazis top flight in 2024. On the other hand, it’s rare to see Brazilian players in the Argentine league, let alone coaches. Take for instance Boca Juniors. The Buenos Aires-based super club has only hired two Brazilian coaches since its inception in 1905 and a total of nine foreign-born managers.
There’s also the Scaloni effect. The former interim manager proved to the world that inexperience is not always a determining factor for success. Scaloni, 46, lifted the 2022 World Cup trophy despite never having been a head coach at senior level. Now considered one of the sport’s premier man managers, Scaloni is chasing his fourth title with Argentina this summer (after the 2021 Copa America, the 2022 CONMEBOL-UEFA Cup of Champions, and the 2022 World Cup).
The 2024 Copa America will be another showcase for Argentine managers on the international stage, which will prove that their influence in South America isn’t a trend but rather a ubiquitous reality. Barring a complete collapse by the CONMEBOL sides, it’s more than likely that an Argentine will coach at least one team in the final.
Why are so many of the coaches at Copa America from Argentina?
https://arab.news/gnx7f
Why are so many of the coaches at Copa America from Argentina?
- Lionel Scaloni heads the list as the head coach of the Argentina national team
- The late Cesar Luis Menotti is considered to be Argentina’s greatest football mind
Egypt’s leading female tennis player Mayar Sherif in confident mood ahead of Wimbledon opener
- One-time world No. 31 faces first-round clash with Hungarian qualifier Dalma Galfi
- Sherif looks to inspire next generation of Arab tennis players
LONDON: Egyptian tennis player Mayar Sherif, who last year reached a career-high No. 31 in the world, is gearing up for her second appearance at Wimbledon next week and looking to improve on her first round exit last year.
Egypt’s top-ranked female player will get her championship up and running in the first round against Hungarian qualifier Dalma Galfi.
After a shaky start to the year, Sherif spoke to Arab News about her upturn in form going into the grass-court grand slam event, confidence-boosting wins, and being an Arab female sporting role model.
Q. How did you manage to improve your form in 2024 after a challenging start to the year?
A. The year started off tough due to an injury I sustained early on, which took a mental toll. Even after two months recovery, regaining my strength and capabilities was taking some time. However, I used this challenge as a positive experience where I focused on securing one win at the Madrid Open to help boost my confidence and get myself back into match rhythm. Not only did this win happen once, but twice, which I am incredibly proud of.
Q. How did it feel to reach your career-high ranking of No. 31 last year, and what are your targets for returning to or surpassing that ranking?
Reaching a career-high ranking of No. 31 in the world was a proud milestone for me. My coaches and I focused on consistent progress and hard training, which led to significant improvements in my game. This year, we aim to achieve more and rank higher. My team has been incredibly supportive, pushing me beyond my limits, and working tirelessly to help me become a better player.
Q. What does it mean to you to be Egypt’s most successful tennis player ever?
Being recognized as Egypt’s most successful tennis player ever carries a great responsibility. I see myself as a role model for younger players, and I’ve always believed that my career is just the beginning. My goal is to inspire more tennis players from Egypt and other African countries to break into the world’s top 100 tennis players.
Q. How do you feel about inspiring a generation of Arab tennis players, both female and male, alongside Ons Jabeur?
I feel honored to inspire the next generation of Arab tennis players. However, inspiration is limitless, and I want to be able to inspire all kinds of athletes, especially those who do not have proper access to sport. Which is why, I’m also proud to support adidas’ efforts to encourage young athletes to pursue their goals in sports and overcome pressure. In addition, being a positive role model motivates me to continuously improve my game. It’s rewarding to see younger athletes look up to us, and I’m committed to showing them what’s possible through dedication.
Imperious Max Verstappen takes pole for Austrian Grand Prix
The series leader and three-time world champion clocked a best lap in 1 minute 4.314 seconds to outpace nearest rival Lando Norris of McLaren by 0.404sec for his fourth Austrian pole at the Red Bull Ring.
It also ended a run of three races where he was beaten in qualifying in Monaco, Canada and Spain and brought him his 40th career pole position.
“That went really well,” said Verstappen.
“We tried to adjust things a bit after this morning and it went well. It was warmer than yesterday and a bit tricky but the car felt good and I could attack the corners much more. It felt on point and really good out there.
“It’s been a while since we’ve been on pole and we have worked hard to be more competitive.’
Norris said: “I think that was the best we could do today and Max was in a league of his own — but I am happy and I’ll take that.”
George Russell took third for Mercedes ahead of Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz and seven-time champion Lewis Hamilton in the second Mercedes, Charles Leclerc in his Ferrari and Oscar Piastri in the second McLaren.
Piastri’s best flying lap was deleted for exceeding track limits in the closing minutes when he briefly went third.
Sergio Perez was eighth in the second Red Bull, continuing his struggles, ahead of Haas’s Nico Hulkenberg and Esteban Ocon of Alpine.
Verstappen led the way out of the pit lane for the opening of Q1 with the Styrian Alps simmering in the heat with a track temperature of 47 degrees and the air at 32.
The conditions, however, did nothing to quell the enthusiasm of the Dutch champion’s ‘orange army’, massed in the grandstands.
With everyone on softs, Verstappen set the pace in 1min 6.054sec on his first lap — he took pole in 1min 04.686sec last year — before the Ferraris and McLarens made their opening forays, Leclerc emerging as the early pace-setter in 1min 05.901sec.
Mercedes left their first runs until later, but Russell temporarily took over top spot with Hamilton slotted in seventh.
Verstappen and Sainz both responded as the times tumbled. Only half a second separated the top nine drivers as Hamilton dropped to 16th and needed a new set of softs to avoid an early exit.
As he survived, Alex Albon of Williams, Aston Martin’s Lance Stroll, Valtteri Bottas of Sauber, Logan Sargeant of Williams and Zhou Guanyu in the second Sauber were eliminated.
The Q2 session began with Leclerc posting a best time to go top with a lead of just 0.050sec ahead of Ocon only for Verstappen, in imperious mood, sweeping to the top in 1min 04.577sec.
He took a fresh set of softs for a final run in 1min 04.469sec, half a second clear of the pack led by Sainz, Russell and Hamilton with two-time champion Fernando Alonso of Aston Martin among those to drop out.
Norris and then Hulkenberg took command in Q3 before Verstappen flexed his muscles, clocking 1min 04.314sec to consolidate his position and take pole.
Zverev says ‘most open Wimbledon in 20 years’
- The world number four has never got past the last 16 at the All England Club
- “I think this is the most open Wimbledon Championship that we maybe had in 20 years in terms of favorites, in terms of potential winners,” said Zverev
LONDON: Alexander Zverev placed himself among the serious contenders for the Wimbledon title on Saturday, insisting that this year’s showpiece “is the most open in 20 years.”
The world number four has never got past the last 16 at the All England Club.
However, with Roger Federer retired, Rafael Nadal resting and both Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray carrying injuries, the 27-year-old predicts a power vacuum in south-west London.
“I think this is the most open Wimbledon Championship that we maybe had in 20 years in terms of favorites, in terms of potential winners,” said Zverev.
“I think there’s multiple guys who have a very decent chance of going deep and very decent chance of winning the tournament.
“I don’t think it has been like that for maybe 20 years since before Roger started playing, right? After Roger came Rafa, Novak, Andy. I really feel it’s different this year.”
Since Lleyton Hewitt claimed the 2002 Wimbledon title, the tournament was dominated by Federer (eight titles), Djokovic (seven), Nadal (two) and Murray (two).
Carlos Alcaraz’s victory over Djokovic in the 2023 championship match finally broke the ‘Big Four’ stranglehold.
Djokovic and Murray are 37 and both arrive at the tournament fresh from bouts of surgery — Djokovic on his right knee while Murray needed an operation to remove a cyst on his back.
“It’s the first time I really feel like I’m here to be a competitor, to maybe win the title,” said Zverev.
“I didn’t feel like that previous years when I came here. I didn’t feel like I was capable. I didn’t believe I was capable.”
Zverev has suffered two heart-breaking defeats in Grand Slam finals.
At the 2020 US Open, he surrendered a two sets lead against Dominic Thiem while at this year’s French Open, he slipped to a five-set loss to Alcaraz from two sets to one up.
His two fourth round losses at Wimbledon were also five-setters against Milos Raonic in 2017 and Felix Auger-Aliassime in 2023.
“This is a tournament where maybe I need a bit more luck and maybe a few things to go my way, a few things to happen,” he added.
“More than maybe at other Grand Slams. If those things all come into place, if all those things maybe go my way for once, do I believe I can win? Then yes, I can.”
Once his Wimbledon campaign is over, Zverev will return to Roland Garros in Paris to defend his Olympic title.
“The Olympics is probably the most difficult trophy to win in tennis for us because we have that tournament once every four years,” said Zverev.
“If you’re not performing during that week, you have to wait another four years. Where at Grand Slams or other events, we have multiple per year.”
’We have already won the Euros’, says Georgia coach Sagnol
COLOGNE: Georgia coach Willy Sagnol insisted the rank outsiders would go into Sunday’s Euro 2024 clash with Spain in relaxed mood having already far exceeded expectations by making it to the last 16.
“We will go into this game with a lot of confidence because we have absolutely nothing to lose. For me we have already won the European Championship and I am just excited to be on the pitch,” Sagnol told reporters in Cologne, where Sunday’s game will be played.
Georgia are appearing at a major tournament for the first time and made it to the knockout phase with a remarkable 2-0 win over Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal in their last group match on Wednesday.
That followed a 3-1 loss to Turkiye and a 1-1 draw with the Czech Republic and allowed them to progress from Group F as one of the best third-placed finishers.
However, all the evidence suggests their run will come to an end against a Spain side who have been the most impressive team so far at the tournament, winning all three group games without letting in a goal.
Georgia have played Spain four times since Frenchman Sagnol was appointed coach in early 2021, and have lost all four meetings.
They went down twice in the 2022 World Cup qualifiers, and then lost twice more in qualifying for this competition.
That included a chastening 7-1 reverse at home in Tbilisi last September.
“It was a difficult moment for us but sometimes to get further in life you need moments like that, where it is very difficult, where you are not good, where you think you have done everything bad,” Sagnol reflected.
“Without difficulties you can’t have great achievements. It was part of our journey.
“If we are here today I am sure this 7-1 taught us a lot of things and we learnt a lot of things from it.”
The 47-year-old former France international added: “Spain are clearly the best team in the competition up until now so that is why it is going to be a tough match.
“We played four times against them, we lost four times, but now it is a different competition, a different atmosphere, a different environment, so many things can happen.”
as/pi
Russian judokas to boycott Paris Olympics
- The IOC gave the green light for participation in Paris to just four Russian judokas
PARIS: The judo competition at next month’s Paris Olympics will not feature any Russians after the national federation announced a boycott of the Games over “humiliating conditions” set by the International Olympic Committee.
The IOC on Friday gave the green light for participation in Paris to just four Russian judokas out of 17 who had met Olympic qualifying standard across 14 categories.
“The Russian national team will not accept these humiliating conditions,” it said, adding that the IOC’s announcement hurt the credibility of the Olympic movement.
The IOC suspended Russia from the 2024 Games last year, but gave the green light for its athletes to compete as neutrals as long as they did not actively support the Kremlin’s offensive in Ukraine.
