World Cup 2022 has now entered the knockout stage, where the pressure is well and truly on, not just for the players but for the managers. Every decision is crucial and every mistake could be catastrophic.
The knockout stage figures to be just a bit more nerve-wracking for these three managers, whose legacies are likely on the line.
Read on below as SBOTOP highlights these three managers and why the heat is on them
Gareth Southgate, England
Gareth Southgate is the ultimate glass half-empty/half-full manager. On the one hand, he is inarguably the most successful England manager of modern times, leading the Three Lions to the semi-finals in his first two major tournaments, including the final of Euro 2020 – their first major final since winning the World Cup in 1966.
But Southgate has still not been immune to criticism despite those impressive achievements. Some have found fault in his conservative approach and slow in-game adjustments which have underutilised one of the best crop of England players in recent memory.
And if Southgate falls short for a third straight tournament with this undoubtedly talented group, questions about whether he has taken England as far as he can will crop up once again.
Thus far, though, Southgate’s side have been one of the most impressive in Qatar. They had the best record in the group stage and are through to the quarter-finals after sweeping aside Senegal. They are the tournament’s leading scorers with 12 goals in four games, which is a welcome development after they struggled to score from open play in the previous two tournaments.
But those positive World Cup 2022 results might only fuel the expectations of the ultra-demanding English fans who will not be satisfied with anything other than a title. And with defending champions France – and the in-form Kylian Mbappe – up next in the quarter-finals, Southgate will need to produce something special to fall short yet again.
Tite, Brazil
The World Cup 2022 odds have Brazil as the favourites to win the title for the sixth time in their illustrious history and their first in 20 years. And after disappointment in the previous four tournaments, the Selecao actually have a squad capable of delivering on those expectations this time around.
Following their disappointing quarter-final exit in 2018, Tite has done a terrific job rebuilding the Samba Boys back into a global powerhouse. But now that he has the talent at his disposal, the pressure will be firmly on him to finally deliver that precious sixth title.
The Brazilians were not overwhelmingly dominant in the group stage, but they got the job done with two wins in two games, which allowed Tite to rest his stars for the final game against Cameroon. And it was that much-changed Brazil side that they conceded their first shots on target in the tournament.
Brazil have been hit by a couple of injuries to Neymar and Gabriel Jesus, although the former appears to be progressing. Nevertheless, their depth of attacking weapons remains plentiful, so injuries will not be a good enough excuse for failure.
That may be harsh on Tite, but such are the breaks when managing such a talent-rich side in a country like Brazil that simply expects success.
Lionel Scaloni, Argentina
And last but not least on this list, there’s Argentina’s Lionel Scaloni. La Albiceleste came into this tournament right there with Brazil among the top favourites to win the title, and they came into Qatar in fantastic form.
Scaloni had led the Argentines to the Copa America crown, their first major title in nearly three decades, as he seemingly found the right formula for the great Lionel Messi.
This is Messi’s last best chance to claim that World Cup crown, which puts that much more pressure on Scaloni to make the right moves moving forward.
Scaloni has already made some big decisions in this tournament. He has taken the out-of-form Lautaro Martinez out of the starting line-up; brought in Julian Alvarez in attack; and placed Alexis Mac Allister and Enzo Fernandez in midfield.
Those moves have proven to be the correct ones, as Alvarez has scored twice and Mac Allister and Fernandez have a goal apiece.
But Scaloni’s job is far from done. With big games against the Netherlands and potentially Brazil on the horizon, Scaloni will need to continue to get his selections spot-on.
●●●
CHECK OUT OUR BLOG FOR MORE FOOTBALL STORIES & ODDS
Stay updated with everything sports and betting.
Follow us on social Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.
