When you pick up such a nickname during your playing days, it’s almost predestined for you to end up in a dugout. And with only 37 years of age, Javier Mascherano is just making his first significant steps in the coaching business as he was given the opportunity to lead the Argentine U-20 team.Javier Mascherano, coach of the Argentina U20 team on coaching them at the @TournoiMRevello tournament: “I enjoyed this tournament a lot as a player and now I am starting my career as a coach here. Coaching these kids, this national team, is a source of pride.” 🇦🇷 pic.twitter.com/tTi4KUXbwR— Roy Nemer (@RoyNemer) May 29, 2022 The former West Ham United, Liverpool and Barcelona midfielder was promoted as their coach in December 2021. These last couple of months, he used to establish bonds with those young promising players, teaching them much more than simple football basics. Mascherano imposed some ground rules all the players must stick to it if they want to stay in the team and represent their nation.Mascherano “Pep is incomparable; a genius impossible to imitate. Luis Enrique is up there with Pep, but his levels are more reachable. As a coach I’ll try to resemble Luis, because I know I’ll never be able to reach the levels of Pep” [via @CanoFootball] pic.twitter.com/vsL6A5HdyB— The Pep (@GuardiolaTweets) May 30, 2022 Per various reports from Argentina, these are The Little Chief’s rules:- do your homework first- learn English- clean your sneakers/shoes regularly- tide up your room- use self-service during meals- wash your dishes/plates after the meal- all players will be educated about the use of social networks- decent and nice behaviour in the national teamIt so good to see you again….ForestMON: 19.00: (1.45) STABAEK (4.20) KONGSVINGER (6.63)One would say this is a bit of army-like discipline imposed by a two-time Olympic champion with Argentina (2004 and 2008) and two-time Champions League winner with Barca. Since it comes from the second-most capped player in the history of this nation, after Messi, of course, we should probably trust his methods. And see what will Mascherano do in the next few years. The ones who know him well claim he’s the next big thing among the tacticians.
