Just as national economies move in cycles so does football — and the current World Cup downturn is proving a long slog for Argentina, who with their quarterfinal loss to Germany must now be classed among the latter day underachievers.
The ‘albiceleste’ bagged titles in 1978 and 1986, but since their final appearance in 1990, when they lost to the Germans, they have fallen on hard times.
Argentina have not won anything of note since the 1993 Copa America championship, since when they have toiled for scant reward — though at under20 level they have scooped four world titles since 1995.
That has not translated into senior success and coach Jose Pekerman, the architect of the first three of those youthful triumphs, has taken responsibility — perhaps prematurely, as most of the fans still back him — by resigning.
”We are really a bit down in the mouth. We know we gave all we could and we are very sorry to be going home in such circumstances,” said goalkeeper Roberto Abbondanzieri on Saturday as the squad prepared to fly home.
Argentina’s only consolation is that their English and Spanish counterparts have given them a good run for their money for the underachievers’ sobriquet — England still chasing the lost spirit of 1966, while Spain’s sole semifinal showing came 50 years ago.
None of the trio covered themselves with glory this time — the difference for the Argentines being that they were expected to numbering bright young stars like Lionel Messi and Carlos Tevez among their numbers.
Instead, the sorcerer’s apprentices found German’s penalty-taking machine too hot to handle.
Pekerman’s mea culpa may seem harsh after a penalty shootout against the hosts but his country’s barren run of not even making it to the last four has seen the likes of Bulgaria, Croatia, Sweden and South Korea all go that far.
”It is over, the chapter is closed,” said Pekerman, who opted to leave out of the squad several experienced campaigners such as Inter Milan’s Javier Zanetti, preferring to give the youngsters their head — though not, strangely, Messi in the Germany tussle.
”I am not going to carry on. I can leave with my head held up high. I have always believed in the players and they have not let me down.”
In fact, the much-maligned Fifa team rankings were almost spot on for Argentina, who were ranked ninth in the world ahead of the event — though they are certainly stronger than Mexico, as they showed in the second round, and the United States, likewise ranked higher.
Pekerman replaced Marcelo Bielsa two years ago.
Bielsa initially survived the opening phase exit in 2002, Argentina’s worst showing since 1962, but then gave way to a man of whom Maradona says: ”He’s not yet a coach for adults.”
If Pekerman throws in the towel and ignores fan pleas to give it another World Cup cycle then he never will be on the global stage.
At least the Peker-boys are now men and the Argentine Federation are hoping to find someone who can make best use of their talents in a country which has floundered since Maradona’s day.
England and Spain know the feeling.
In Spain, Luis Aragones is generally recognised as still being the best man for the job despite the exit to France — Liverpool’s Rafa Benitez shows no sign of being ready to drop club football for the international scene, and in the culture of La Liga club tends to count for more than country.
Aragones now says he is ready to stay on after first indicating that his time was up.
England, of course. have made their leap of faith in choosing Steve Maclaren to succeed Sven-Goran Eriksson, but, like the Spanish they have found their level as they pick over the wreckage of another failed campaign. – Sapa-AFP