Gerardo Martino Resigns as Argentina Manager: Latest Comments and Reaction

Gerardo Martino has stood down as the manager of the Argentina national team, it was confirmed on Tuesday.

As reported by Ed Malyon of the Daily Mirror, the 53-year-old’s decision comes after the national team suffered its third loss in a major final in as many summers; Argentina were beaten by Chile in the recent climax of the Copa America Centenario in the United States, prompting the international retirement of star man Lionel Messi.

"A bomb threat saw the AFA headquarters evacuated seven days ago, while there are reports that the two-time World Cup winners could be expelled from FIFA," added Malyon. "World football's governing body are concerned over political intervention at the AFA, who in turn have rejected the authority of FIFA's regulatory committee."

Malyon added it is unlikely there will be a replacement appointed any time soon due to the ongoing tension with the AFA.

ALFREDO ESTRELLA/Getty Images

It’s been an agonising time to be a follower of Argentine football. After they lost the final of the FIFA World Cup against Germany in extra time in 2014, there was a chance for immediate redemption at the 2015 Copa America; the team lost to Chile in a penalty shootout in the final, though, a scenario that was recently repeated.

Martino was in charge for the two Copa losses, having stepped into the position vacated by Alejandro Sabella in 2014.

During his tenure, there have been some memorable performances. In the semi-finals of the last two continental competitions, Argentina won 6-1 against Paraguay in 2015 and 4-0 against the United States in 2016. Messi, in the main, also performed well under his guidance, finishing the recent Copa with five goals.

As noted by Argentine football expert Sam Kelly, Martino actually fared well in competitive matches, extra time and penalties aside:

Since Messi indicated his intention to move away from the international scene, Argentina supporters have staged protests in the country’s capital Buenos Aires in an attempt to convince him to change his mind. Albiceleste legend Diego Maradona also pleaded with the Barcelona man not to stand down in an interview with La Nacion (h/t Paul Vinnell of Sky Sports).

While the merits of Martino as a coach have been questioned, as noted by Onefootball, his decision to resign leaves Argentina rudderless:

"

First Messi, now Martino. Argentina are left without their captain and without a head coach. What next for them?

— Onefootball (@Onefootball) July 5, 2016"

Whoever takes over from Martino will have a clutch of quality players to work with, despite the retirement of Messi and reports that Sergio Aguero and Javier Mascherano could follow suit.

Despite their Copa America Centenario heartbreak, Martino leaves Argentina in a decent position to qualify for the 2018 FIFA World Cup; they’re in third place in the CONMEBOL table, two points behind Uruguay and Ecuador. World football's governing body also ranks Argentina as the best team on the planet.