Former Argentina star Mario Kempes has expressed his interest in coaching the national team. The two-time champions had a very disappointing outing at the ongoing World Cup where they qualified to the last 16 by the skin of their teeth only to be shown the door by France. Argentina’s premature elimination from the World Cup puts the future of their present coach Jorge Sampaoli in jeopardy.
The Argentina Football Federation is yet to take a decision on Sampaoli’s future but Kempes has said that he is keen to take over should Sampaoli be fired.
“It’s not easy to carry forward the national team because you have a whole country behind  you,” said Kempes.
Mario Kempes is one of the greatest players in the history of Argentina and world football. He helped Argentina to win the 1978 World Cup where he was the best player. He was also the top goalscorer with 6 goals including a brace in the final against Netherlands at Buenos Aires.
Kempes played 43 matches for the national team during his 8-year long international career with 20 goals to his name.
However, Kempes’ coaching career is a sharp contrast to his playing career. He has never managed any well known team in his 7 years of coaching. The 63-year old has coached 7 teams across 5 different countries namely Indonesia, Albania, Venezuela, Bolivia and Italy. He last coached an Italian 6th division club named Casarano Calcio 16 years back.
