5 Managers who could lead Lionel Messi to World Cup glory

Argentina, oh Argentina. 

After managing to win the square root of zero with the incredible talents that they have at their disposal – including a certain Lionel Andres Messi – and having experimented with the 7 managers during the career of the aforementioned Messi they really need to get this appointment spot on.

It started off with Jose Pekerman (who got them play some sumptuous football, but was sacked rather prematurely)  before Afio Basile (the last man to win a major trophy for Argentina, way back in 1991), Diego Maradona (greatest footballer ever, also in the running for worst coach ever), Sergio Batista (won Messi his lone international success with the senior team at the 2008 Olympics), Alejandro Sabella (the one who came closest, but also purveyor of one of the dullest Argentina teams in history), Gerardo Martino (came close at the Copa America, but was comprehensively out-thought in the final) and Edgardo Bauza (can anyone have done worse, really?) all had their shot at it.

What AFA – which is an utter shambles at the moment – does next will be crucial in determining how everyone will see Lionel Messi’s legacy – because like it or not, a World Cup and International success, is the greatest successes a footballer can aim for. 

Oh, and a proud footballing nation such as Argentina simply deserves better:

In this case, as important as the technical and tactical aspects of the coaching job are, the management of personalities that is equally, if not more, important.