5 Managers who could lead Lionel Messi to World Cup glory

1. Jorge Sampaoli

As strong a candidate as Diego Simeone is, I believe the man most likely to get the job is his compatriot, Jorge Sampaoli. The man who managed Chile to it’s first ever international trophy is as Bielsista as they come, but his fondness for the extreme-pressing, break-neck paced game that the great tactictian of our times, Marcelo Bielsa pioneered, is tempered with an ability to manage his star players to ensure there is little break-down, at least over the duration of a cup run.

Still to prove himself in a league scenario (his Sevilla team faltered pathetically in the final stretch), he has no qualms with a national scenario. In fact, AFA representatives have reportedly already approached him in Seville to convince him to cut his two-year contract with the club in half and come and save them. Sampaoli is an ardent fan of Lionel Messi (having once said “sometimes Messi let’s you stop him, sometimes he doesn’t) and it is understood that the feeling is reciprocated. Anyone who has Messi’ respect automatically wins the dresssing room’s too.

Club honours: Universidad de Chile – 2 x Apertura, 1 x Clausura, 1 x Copa Sudamericana

National honours: Chile – 1 x Copa America