World Cup 2018: Argentina will not sack Jorge Sampaoli but his future remains in the balance

Sampaoli’s task is to rally a squad that appears to have lost all faith in him and squeeze out a performance

Argentina will not fire coach Jorge Sampaoli in the wake of the 3-0 defeat to Croatia, though the former Chile and Sevilla boss is now expected to leave his role after the World Cup 2018.

Social media has been ablaze with talks of secret meetings and players asking for Sampaoli to be replaced by technical director Jorge Burruchaga but there is no credible reporting to support this and the Argentina FA (AFA) confirmed on Friday morning that nobody is leaving their post today.

There will, however, be changes ahead of a must-win final game against Nigeria.

Indeed, victory might not even be enough in their final game but Sampaoli’s task is to rally a squad that appears to have lost all faith in him and squeeze out a performance.

Lionel Messi’s displays have concerned those around the Argentina camp, with the Barcelona forward appearing detached and fragile.

“The Leo I know did not come to Russia,” said one insider.

“He is absent even when he is stood in front of you.”