Thirthy-two countries started the Qatar 2022 FIFA World Cup campaign on Sunday, November 20, and 28 have been eliminated.
France, Argentina, Morocco and Croatia are the four countries remaining.
Proud African giants Morocco and Croatia will lock horns to battle for 3rd and 4th position on Saturday, December 17.
Whereas France and ‘Messilona’ Argentine will also battle for supremacy on Sunday 18, December 2022. Only time will tell who lifts the prestigious trophy on Sunday night.
The exit of some countries in the ongoing 2022 FIFA World Cup has brought an end to the reign of some coaches who have personally resigned from their posts after their elimination.
At the moment the total number of managers who will not continue with their national teams as of Friday, December 16, 2022, is numbering about eight.
Check out the confirmed resignations compiled by Africa news 360
Paulo Bento – South Korea
The 53-year-old Portuguese coach announced his decision to step down from his role as the head coach of the South Korean national team after their 4-1 defeat to Brazil.
The South Koreans magically snatched a knockout phase qualification from Uruguay after beating Portugal in their final Group H game but Brazil were not ready for any surprises as they kicked them out of the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
Paulo after the defeat announced that he will be leaving his post thus bringing an end to his 4-year tenure in South Korea.
“I have just announced to the players and to the president of the South Korean federation and this was a decision I had already taken since September that was set in stone. Today I have confirmed it and I have to thank them for everything they have done,” he said at the post-match conference.
Otto Addo – Ghana
Just like Paulo Bento, Otto Addo also announced his resignation less than an hour after Ghana’s elimination from the 2022 FIFA World Cup following a 2-0 defeat to Uruguay.
Otto Addo before the start of the World Cup hinted that he will step down from his job after the competition regardless of Ghana’s performance.
“Me & my family are happy in Germany. I said I would step down after the World Cup even if we’re world champions after the tournament. I’ve resigned from my role as Ghana coach,” Otto Addo told the press in his post-match interview.
Roberto Martínez – Belgium
He led the Belgium golden generation to win bronze in the 2018 Russia FIFA World Cup, Roberto Martinez was hoping to go for the ultimate in the 2022 edition but were eliminated from the group stages after a goalless drawn game against Croatia.
“That was my last game with the national team and it’s emotional as you can imagine. It was going to be the end whether we were world champions or out in the group stage. It has nothing to do with being eliminated at this stage. This is the time for me to accept that this day is the last game,” he said after the game.
Gerardo Martino – Mexico
Gerardo Martino’s were in the same group with Argentina, Poland, and Saudi Arabia but they finished third in the group despite their final group victory over the Saudis.
“I am the first responsible for this terrible disappointment and frustration that we have. As the person in charge, it causes a lot of sadness. I fully assume responsibility for this great failure.”
“My contract ended as soon as the referee blew the final whistle and there is nothing more to be done,” the 60-year-old Argentine told reporters.
Luis Enrique – Spain
La Roja suffered a fairly early elimination from the 2022 World Cup, falling to neighbours Morocco on penalties in the last 16.
“The RFEF would like to thank Luis Enrique and his entire coaching staff at the helm of the absolute national team in recent years.
“The sports management of the RFEF has transferred to the president a report in which it is determined that a new project should start for the Spanish Soccer Team, with the aim of continuing with the growth achieved in recent years thanks to the work carried out by Luis Enrique and their collaborators. Both the president, Luis Rubiales, and the sports director, Jose Francisco Molina, have transmitted the decision to the coach.
“The Asturian coach managed to give a new impetus to the national team since his arrival, in 2018, through a profound renovation that has consolidated a generational change in the team and in Spanish football.
“Luis Enrique qualified for two semi-finals of the UEFA Nations League, of the three he played as coach; and he reached the semifinals of Euro 2020 with his own stamp and through a defined style. He opted for young talent and has sown hope for the future of the Spanish team.
“The RFEF energetically wishes Luis Enrique and his team the best of luck in their future professional projects. The coach earns the love and admiration of his collaborators in the national team and of the entire Federation, which will always be his home.”
Tite – Brazil
Louis van Gaal has confirmed that he will be stepping down as the manager of the Netherlands national team following their dramatic World Cup quarter-final loss to Argentina.
The 71-year-old had already insisted prior to the finals that this tournament would be his last in charge of the Oranje, who he managed in three different spells.
And he backed up this sentiment following Friday’s thriller at the Lusail Iconic Stadium, ending his third stint technically unbeaten.
“First and foremost I won’t be continuing,” Van Gaal said. “I only did it for this period of time.
This was my very last match of my third term as head coach. “In that time I coached 20 matches [winning 14, drawing six] and we didn’t lose a single one. I don’t know how many matches we won, but you can Google ‘Louis van Gaal, Dutch team’ and see the goal difference for yourself.”
