Reja says Scaloni rejected Lazio return in 2024 to honour Argentina role | OneFootball

"No, coach. I’m staying with Argentina, I have a commitment and won’t back down," Edoardo Reja said, speaking to Il Messaggero.

"In 2024, I spoke with Lazio President Lotito and asked Scaloni whether he wanted to return to Lazio as a coach."

"He was a charismatic, very smart leader. The teams I coached considered him a leader because he had character and personality. Everyone followed him when he talked."

"He had his vision and conveyed futuristic ideas. He had a clinical eye in evaluating the footballers, watching them from the bench, including the opponents."

Scaloni had Serie A spells with Lazio and Atalanta late in his playing career. Under Reja across the two clubs he made 40 appearances, scored one goal and delivered three assists.

Lazio have changed three coaches in the last three years. Marco Baroni led the side in 2024-25 but was dismissed after failing to reach Europe. Maurizio Sarri returned in 2025-26 and left by mutual consent earlier this summer after also missing out.

For 2026-27, Lazio have appointed Gennaro Gattuso, a few months after the former midfielder failed to qualify for the World Cup with the Italian national team.

Source: Football Italia