THE LOWDOWN — THE FULL HISTORY
THE PREMISE
The four coaches of the 2026 World Cup semi-finals, in Dallas and Atlanta. Three go home. One becomes immortal.
DIDIER DESCHAMPS, FRANCE — He lifted the World Cup as captain in 1998 and as coach in 2018, and was one penalty shootout from doing it again in 2022. This is his last dance; win or lose, he leaves.
LUIS DE LA FUENTE, SPAIN — He never played for Spain and spent ten years coaching the country's youth teams. Those teenagers grew up as his players: a Nations League in 2023, then Euro 2024 with seven wins from seven. His side had conceded one goal in six games.
THOMAS TUCHEL, ENGLAND — His playing career ended at 25 with a knee injury in the lower divisions. He rebuilt himself as a coach at Dortmund and Paris and won the 2021 Champions League with Chelsea. His job: end sixty years of England hurt.
LIONEL SCALONI, ARGENTINA — A caretaker in 2018 who had never managed a club. Two Copas and the 2022 World Cup followed. He stood two wins from back-to-back World Cups, a feat no coach has managed since Pozzo in 1934 and 1938.
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THE TERRACES — DISCUSSION
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