Walter Samuel to leave Argentina coaching staff to begin independent career

Argentina head coach Lionel Scaloni has confirmed that Walter Samuel will leave the national team’s coaching staff after the former Albiceleste defender begins his own career as a coach.

“Walter Samuel will begin his coaching career independently. I wish him success,” Scaloni said at the news conference where the manager’s contract renewal was announced.

Scaloni has agreed a new deal with the Argentine Football Association that will keep him in charge of Argentina until 2030.

Samuel will remain with the coaching staff for Argentina’s next two friendly internationals against Uruguay and Costa Rica, which will serve as his final matches with the team.

Argentina are due to face Uruguay at 01:00 on Saturday before playing Costa Rica on Tuesday.

“Samuel has been a very important part of the coaching staff, and he has the right to begin his own journey,” Scaloni added.

Samuel joined Argentina’s coaching staff in 2018 and has been part of the set-up through to 2026. During that period, the team won the 2022 World Cup under Scaloni and claimed the Copa America twice.

Argentina also reached the final of the 2026 World Cup, where they lost to Spain.

The departure marks the end of Samuel’s eight-year spell as part of Scaloni’s staff, although he will complete his work with the squad during the forthcoming friendlies.