The Argentina Under-20 team is out of the World Cup.  As we all know, this is considered a failure for a team like Argentina. They did not make it out of the group stage.  Claudio UBEDA’S team lost their first two matches: first against England (0-3), and then vs S. Korea (1-2).  They did beat Guinea in their last match but it wasn’t enough.

Hopefully, this stirs up change in the youth system in Argentina. The Albiceleste have won this tournament 6 times: (1979, 1995, 1997, 2001, 2005 & 2007).  This is the 2nd consecutive Under-20 World Cup that they have gone out in the group phase.

What do you guys think? Can any good come out of this? Can this be a good learning experience? I think it definitely should be for us.  There needs to be an in-depth analysis of this situation.  Is this generation just not good enough?

Argentina’s Football Association has agreed to pay Jorge SAMPAOLI’S release clause, reaching an agreement that will allow the Sevilla coach to take over as the national team coach of his homeland. SAMPAOLI is leaving the Spanish club a year before his contract expires.  The agreement will be signed by both parties on June 1st. AFA representatives have agreed to the rescission clause in SAMPAOLI’S contract, which local media reported to be 1.5 million euros ($1.68 million).

“All parties are satisfied by the agreement reached,” said a Sevilla statement on Friday.   The statement goes on to say,  “This agreement in principle is pending the drafting and presentation of the relevant documents, which must be signed by all parties by next Thursday, 1 June.”

SAMPAOLI is inching closer and closer to coaching Argentina!

They are saying in Argentina that SAMPAOLI will be at the Racing vs San Lorenzo match tomorrow night and then on Sunday the River vs Central match.

VAMOS ARGENTINA!

Hey guys!

Los Pibes won 5-0 today against Guinea.  Although they did play a lot better today, it may not be enough to qualify into the next round of play.  Marcelo TORRES opened the scoring for Argentina after 33 minutes and Lautaro MARTINEZ added a second just before half-time. Matias ZARACHO and Marco SENESI scored one each in the second half before MARTINEZ completed the scoring.  They now have to wait to see what happens in the other matches to see if they can qualify as one of the 4 best third place teams.

Here at the highlights down below:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vh26y6e6C8w

VAMOS ARGENTINA!!

Hey everyone,

Jorge SAMPAOLI has landed in Argentina this morning from Spain at 7:55 am local time.  It hasn’t been confirmed yet but rumors are that he will be officially presented as the new coach of our national team on Thursday June 1st.  If all goes as planned, he will make his debut as coach on June 9 in an international friendly vs Brazil and 4 days later there is a second friendly vs. Singapore. This is definitely a great opportunity to try out new players, formations, tactics, etc.

Claudio TAPIA, president of AFA, and Daniel ANGELICI, Vice President, are in Spain looking to negotiate SAMPAOLI’S release from Sevilla.  There is a release clause of 1.500.000 Euros.  As this is still pending, SAMPAOLI is planning on not talking to the press until next Thursday.  The plan is to travel to Melbourne, Australia the following Friday June 2nd to play the first of two friendly matches.  Sebastian BECCACECE who is SAMPAOLI’S right hand man will travel four days later with the seven local based players to Australia to meet up with the rest of the team.

In the meantime, SAMPAOLI will be visiting his hometown which is the city of Casilda in the province of Santa Fe.  On Sunday, he will be present at the Monumental Stadium where River Plate will play vs Rosario Central.  During this match, SAMPAOLI will be able to see in action: Jonatan MAIDANA, Ignacio FERNANDEZ and Lucas ALARIO, of River, and Javier PINOLA, of Central.

We know that Argentina are 5th in the World Cup Qualifying standings.  There’s four World Cup Qualifiers left for Argentina which will be played in September and October.  In September we play Uruguay and Venezuela and then in October we play our last two matches against Peru and Ecuador.

SAMPAOLI will be the third coach for Argentina in these World Cup Qualifiers.  They’ve already had Gerardo MARTINO, and Edgardo BAUZA.

What do you all think? Is SAMPAOLI a good fit for us? Can next World Cup finally be ours!?  I personally am super excited to see what he can do for our team.

VAMOS ARGENTINA!!