How many of the World Cup coaches do you know?
As some counties begin to unveil their lists of players selected for the World Cup in Qatar, coaches are also being announced with the hope that they'll be able to bring the trophy. Here is everything you need to know about the coaches from the top teams competing for the 2022 World Cup win.
France has chosen continuity and renewed Didier Deschamps as their head coach for the World Cup in Qatar. Manager since 2012, Deschamps' longevity is as impressive as his coaching performance, something that needs no introduction. One thing to watch for this in this pragmatist is his efficiency.
Deschamps is a coach that promotes a culture of winning, something he inherited from his many victories as a player. As a club manager, Deschamps led Monaco to the finals in the Champions League, won Ligue 1 with Marseille, was a finalist in Euro 2016, and won the 2018 World Cup with the Blues.
Will the former player achieve the feat of winning two consecutive World Cups? Known for his legendary luck, "DD" is less blessed by fate this year. Many of his best players are injured, including N'Golo Kanté and Paul Pogba. So only time will tell if the luck has changed.
A favorite of the tournament with an impressive player roster, Brazil has been coached by Adenor Leonardo Bacchi, better known as Tite, since 2016. This experienced coach has led many Brazilian clubs to victory. Winner of the Copa America in 2019, and finalist in 2021 with the Auriverde, will Tite be the one to give his country their long-awaited sixth World Cup win?
After its elimination against France at the last World Cup, Argentina brought in former international star Lionel Scaloni, then only 40 years old, to revamp the team, and the results are dazzling. With a triumph at the 2021 Copa America and an impressive winning streak currently underway, where will the two Lionels, Scaloni and Messi, stop?
Spain has chosen former Barça coach Luis Enrique to revive their World Cup hopes after several difficult years. A follower of the style of his former club, Enrique's offensive gameplay strategy is based on possession of the ball. Enrique already has an impressive track record as a club coach and intends to recreate Spain's success between 2008 and 2012.
Can Luis Enrique recapture Spain's former glory? Well, his results are quite convincing at the moment. With a Euro semi-final and a Nations League final in 2021 under his belt, it does seem possible. But it remains to be seen how far Enrique can take a team now that it has fewer stars playing than in past World Cups.
Ever since England's former international star Gareth Southgate was promoted from the U23 team to the national team, good performances have followed: England came fourth in the 2018 World Cup, third in the 2019 Nations League, and was a finalist in the Euro 2020. Will this be enough to bring the English a World Cup win?
After their humiliation at the 2018 World Cup, the German national football team was rebuilt under Hans-Dieter "Hansi" Flick. A former Bayern assistant coach, Hanis was promoted to head coach of Bayern Munich and won the Champions League in 2020. He is the ideal person to revive Germany's international football hopes.
After missing the 2018 World Cup, the Netherlands' national team is making a remarkable comeback, and for good reason: Louis van Gaal has returned to the head of the team.
A highly respected coach among his peers, van Gaal has coached some of the biggest European teams in his career, including Ajax Amsterdam, FC Barcelona, Bayern Munich, and Manchester United. Winner of numerous national titles, van Gaal is best remembered for his win in the Champions League with Ajax in 1995.
But Louis van Gaal is also famous for his huge ego and for his "punchlines", as mentioned by the magazine 'So Foot'. An example? This humble self-portrait: “I always have confidence in myself. I am arrogant, domineering, honest, hardworking, innovative."
Belgium's national team still has a great generation of players but they're still desperately chasing their first international trophy. Spaniard Roberto Martinez has been selected as managing he will bring some of his Red Devils' magic to Belgium this year.
Less publicized than his compatriot José Mourinho, Fernando Santos has been a winning machine as coach of the Portuguese team. Winner of Euro 2016 and the League of Nations 2019, will he be able to sign a hat-trick with a first-world trophy?
Uruguay's coach since 2021, Diego Alonso has the heavy task of succeeding Oscar Tabarez, who successfully coached the team for 15 years. Will he be able to make Uruguay exist between the two Brazilian and Argentinian ogres during the World Cup?
Mexico has made a great choice in Gerardo Martino for their head coach. The Argentinian will celebrate his 60th birthday during the World Cup and is on the bench of FC Barcelona and the Albiceleste. His rich coaching record speaks in his favour, but will his experience be enough to win the World Cup for Mexico?
The Senegalese national football team is currently under the management of former Ligue 1 player Aliou Cissé. Passed by Lille, Sedan, Montpellier, and PSG, Cissé has been raising the hopes of his nation since he won the 2021 African Cup of Nations. So we should expect a good performance from Cissé at the World Cup!