The World Cup offers a fascinating variety of managerial match-ups, from grizzled international specialists to club gurus. England, Brazil, and the USA have hired gun-for-hire super-coaches with no previous international experience: Thomas Tuchel, Carlo Ancelotti, and Mauricio Pochettino. The tournament will test whether club-class dilettantes can be outfoxed by gritty veterans like Carlos Queiroz.
Key Managerial Clashes
Lionel Scaloni, who rose through the ranks with Argentina, faces Ralf Rangnick, the gegenpress expert who managed clubs before taking over Austria at age 63. Didier Deschamps, the successful France legend, meets Graham Arnold, who spent most of his career in Australia before moving to Iraq. Portugal's Roberto Martínez, known for his 41-year-old superstar tolerance, takes on Fabio Cannavaro, a Ballon d'Or winner and Chinese Super League champion.
Implications for International Management
If Tuchel, Ancelotti, and Pochettino thrive, the theory that club and international management require different skill sets may become outdated. Federations might then hire up-and-coming club coaches instead of patriotic icons or pressing the button marked Queiroz, Renard, or Advocaat. The tournament could change international management forever.
Live Coverage and Quotes
John Brewin covers Spain 2-0 Saudi Arabia, followed by Daniel Harris on Belgium 2-1 Iran. Beau Dure reports Cape Verde 1-3 Uruguay, and Jonathan Howcroft covers New Zealand 1-2 Egypt. Norway defender Leo Østigård celebrated the birth of his first child, saying, "It's definitely the greatest thing I've ever experienced."
