CORDOBA, Argentina, Sept. 29 (Xinhua) -- Lionel Scaloni moved to end speculation about his future on Tuesday by expressing interest in remaining manager of Argentina's national team.
The 48-year-old's contract is due to expire in December and Scaloni himself questioned whether he would continue after the team's World Cup final defeat to Spain in July.
"I have made the decision to stay on," he told reporters ahead of the Albiceleste's friendly against Bolivia in Cordoba on Wednesday.
"I have the desire to carry on working and to reach an agreement. When we have something, we will announce it."
Argentina will also play friendlies against Burkina Faso and Benin in Buenos Aires on October 3 and 6, respectively.
The clash with Benin will mark Lionel Messi's 208th and final appearance for his country, ending an international career that began more than two decades ago.
Scaloni, who guided Argentina to the 2022 World Cup title as well as two Copa America crowns following his 2018 appointment, said Messi was irreplaceable.
"Aside from being a player, he creates something on the pitch and off it that I have not seen from anyone else," Scaloni said of the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner.
"Of course it's going to be difficult to say goodbye. But we have people who can provide leadership, and good people, and that is what matters most. I am not looking for leaders who make their teammates afraid of them, but rather for good and positive people.
"We all have to make up for what Leo used to do, and that will be difficult, but the group has always responded." ■
