Several continental champion managers are eyeing
for their next silverware in the 2023 Asian Cup.
The Asian Cup is already underway, and all the
favourite teams started off their campaign quite well. Unlike previous
editions, several teams are currently led by the continental champion managers.
They are aiming to lift the trophy in Qatar to help them secure their position.
Not all of them are at the helm of the top
teams. The ones in command of the stronger sides would undoubtedly have a
better chance of winning the title. Yet, such definitely comes with the price
of more pressure due to the team’s lofty target. Consequently, any hint of a
disappointing outcome could lead to their dismissal. So, who are these
continental champions in this year's tournament? Check out their profile below:
Phillipe Troussier
The 68-year-old boss is the Asian Cup-winning
manager. He did it with Japan in the 2000 edition after beating Saudi Arabia ina narrow 1-0 win. Troussier also guided Hidetoshi Nakata and Co. and the U20
team to the finals of the FIFA Confederation Cup in 2001 and 1999,
respectively. Unfortunately, his team’s campaign in the 2002 FIFA World Cup did
not impress the fans after they headed to an early exit in the round of 16.
The French gaffer also had mixed results while
taking charge of African sides. He was deemed successful during his short
stints in Nigeria and Burkina Faso, when he led the latter to be semifinalists
in the 1998 African Cup of Nations (AFCON). Yet he failed in Ivory Coast, South
Africa, and Morocco.
Troussier is currently at the helm of Vietnam in
this year’s Asian Cup. He is under pressure to continue Vietnam’s positive
trend in tournament history, which has always managed to progress from the
group stage. Unfortunately, they did not start the campaign well after
suffering a 4-2 defeat against his former team, Japan, at the opener.
Juan Pizzi
The Argentina-born manager was in the spotlight
in the Copa America 2016 as he surprisingly brought Chile to defend the title
after a win on penalties against the same opposition in the previous edition,
Argentina. Such a result even broke Lionel Messi’s heart, leading to his
temporary retirement from Albiceleste several months later.
However, things went quite the opposite for
Pizzi. He was unable to guide Chile to a spot in the 2018 FIFA World Cup. The
55-year-old boss has never won any silverware either on the international stage
or at the club level. The former Barcelona man did help Saudi Arabia snatch their
first win since 1994 in the 2018 FIFA World Cup, but the Green Falcons failed
to progress. He also had disappointing spells at San Lorenzo, Racing Club, and
the UAE’s Al Wasl before signing for Bahrain. Sadly, his team’s campaign in the
Asian Cup is under scrutiny too after a 3-1 loss versus South Korea at the
opener.
Jurgen Klinsmann
The former German star in the 1990s once lifted
the continental trophy, the CONCACAF Gold Cup, back in 2013, when he was in
command of the USMNT. That is his only title in his managerial career. In the
following year, he brought Clint Dempsey and Co. to qualify for the 2014 FIFA
World Cup, but they could not ease past Belgium in the round of 16.
Previously, Klinsmann had a fairly successful
campaign while taking charge of Germany at the 2006 FIFA World Cup. Despite
only finishing third in the competition, he inspired the beginning of the newDie Mannschaft with their attractive offensive style relying on pressing, speed, andpower.
Nevertheless, the former prolific striker did not
have impressive stints at the club level. He failed miserably at Bayern Munich
and had mixed results with Hertha Berlin before his resignation. The
59-year-old gaffer is currently in charge of South Korea. His team successfully
thumped Bahrain 3-1 in the first game.
Roberto Mancini
The Italian manager is the most recent one to win
the continental title. He did it just three years ago in Wembley after Italy
came out as winners on penalties against the host in UEFA EURO 2021 final. However,
Mancini was under criticism after his team missed their second consecutive FIFA
World Cup in 2022. Leonardo Bonucci and Co. were stunned by North Macedonia in
the playoff.
His move to Saudi Arabia was deemed
controversial too, since he made the sudden decision to leave his club in the
middle of the EURO 2024 qualifiers. The former Sampdoria star returned to the
international stage only a few months after his resignation, when he was
announced as Saudi Arabia's boss. It was said that the Saudi football governing
body offered him a much higher salary to move to the Middle East.
In the 2023 Asian Cup, Mancini’s men only sealed
a 2-1 win over Oman in the first game. Saudi Arabia lays their hope on him to
lift the trophy again in the tournament. Saudi Arabia’s last triumph in the AFC
Asian Cup was in the 1996 edition.
At the club level, the former forward always
managed to win at least one title for each of his clubs, except for the Russian
side, Zenit St.Petersburg. He delivered national cup trophies for Fiorentina, Lazio,
and Galatasaray, enjoyed the beginning of golden years in Inter Milan with
three consecutive Serie A titles, and ended Manchester City’s long wait for
their league title drought in 2012.
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