How Lionel Scaloni and Luis de la Fuente outshone football's elite managers at World Cup

Thomas Tuchel was among a small cohort of superior head coaches, alongside Carlo Ancelotti, Julian Nagelsmann and Mauricio Pochettino, hired to progress deep into the competition and, in some cases, even win it.

However, after the Three Lions' capitulation against Argentina, just two nations remain whose managers boast contrasting pathways to the aforementioned quartet.

Why did Lionel Scaloni and Luis de la Fuente succeed when others failed? DAZN News analyses their respective performances.

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World Cup's superstar managers disappointed

Tuchel, Ancelotti and Nagelsmann were all in the same boat, tasked with guiding mammoth footballing nations to the latter stages of the tournament.

For Ancelotti and Nagelsmann, that was always going to be tricky, given that Brazil and Germany are a shadow of their former selves despite possessing a sprinkling of quality.

Die Mannschaft's exit was far more calamitous, as they stumbled out of the World Cup on penalties to Paraguay in the Round of 32, and given Nagelsmann had two major tournaments to make his mark, it is unsurprising he has since resigned.

For Ancelotti, he has understandably been given more time as Brazil's defeat to Norway in the Round of 16 was less shameful, while the Italian has done an encouraging job to turn around a failing side.

As for Tuchel, expectations were understandably higher, given England's ability to reach the latter stages of tournaments and while he did take the Three Lions to the semi-finals, this tournament will forever feel like the one that got away.

The United States produced some outstanding performances in the group stage, but the manner of their defeat to Belgium in the Round of 16 will taint Pochettino's reign.

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Luis de la Fuente's road to success

Grappling for elite coaches makes sense, but Spain and Argentina's progress to the World Cup final shows that the method is flawed.

Luis de la Fuente had some experience at domestic level, managing Athletic Bilbao and Alaves, although he was sacked by the third-division side after just 11 games.

The Spaniard then utilised his experience of coaching Sevilla and Bilbao's youth teams in his roles with Spain's under-18s, 19s and 21s.

De la Fuente won two European Championships with Spain's youth sides and carried that success with him when he was named as the first-team manager in 2023.

Having lifted the Euros two years ago, the 65-year-old is now on the verge of lifting a second successive major trophy in the space of two years, and it would take a brave person to bet against him doing just that.

Lionel Scaloni's unlikely rise to World Cup glory

As for Lionel Scaloni, his journey to becoming Argentina's manager is even more startling.

The former West Ham defender had been Sevilla's assistant manager before taking up the same role with Argentina and then as under-20 boss.

Scaloni was appointed as his nation's manager after the 2018 World Cup in Russia, leading La Scaloneta to their third World Cup trophy on the first attempt in 2022.

If the South Americans triumph on Sunday, then it would be two World Cups and two Copa Americas for a man who had no managerial experience before taking the ultimate job in world football.

While he does not boast the extensive youth-level experience as De la Fuente, it goes to show that you do not need a leading record in club football to thrive on the international stage.

Of course, England had their own De la Fuente in Sir Gareth Southgate, a man who struggled domestically with Middlesbrough but was given a chance to manage the Three Lions.

The 55-year-old took charge of his country's under-21 side and built a bond with the players that had been lacking under previous regimes.

Tuchel was drafted in as England boss to counter Southgate's flaws, with his superior club experience and decision-making meant to guide the Three Lions to World Cup glory.

Of course, there is still time for Ancelotti and Tuchel to deliver the ultimate prize, but on current evidence, there is significant work to do before either can be considered serious contenders.

If this World Cup has taught us anything, it is that the teams with unity, fight and a clear identity succeed, and that has been forged by men with unique pathways to managing their countries.

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