Jorge Sampaoli still remains as Argentina manager as talks with the Argentine Football Association (AFA) rumble on but his assistant and Under-20 coach Sebastián Beccacece has already handed in his resignation and could be poised for a swift return to club football.

Amid the many rumours out of the Argentina camp during the World Cup, reports of unrest and training ground arguments between Jorge Sampaoli and his long-term assistant Sebastián Beccacece were prominent.

Argentina’s failure in Russia has left Sampaoli’s position precarious but with Beccacece expected to take the Under-20s to Spain for the annual COTIF Alcudia tournament at the end of July there was little time to waste.

These preparations have now been thrown into disarray as Beccacece has resigned from his role within the national team set-up following reports that the 37-year-old presented a list of 35 players for the tournament that begins on July 28th and 20 were denied permission by their clubs.

Nicolás Diez, Martín Bressan (trainer) and Francisco Meneghini (video analyst) have also reportedly all left their roles leaving Sampaoli somewhat isolated within the Argentina set up.

[SELECCIÓN MAYOR] La @afa y los ex integrantes del cuerpo técnico de la Selección @Argentina, Sebastián Beccacece, Nicolás Diez y Martín Bressan, han acordado de mutuo acuerdo la rescisión de sus contratos https://t.co/ZAj1PTQXJZ pic.twitter.com/fEbJrMED5e

— Selección Argentina (@Argentina) July 6, 2018

Sampaoli could take charge of the Under-20s at the COTIF tournament if the under-fire coach remains in the AFA’s employment, with Pablo Aimar or Diego Placente the only other clear options at this moment given their current positions with the under-17s and under-15s respectively.

Beccacece’s decision to leave may have been hastened by talk of a return to Defensa y Justicia after the 37-year-old left his role as manager in Florencio Varela last year to take up his position alongside Sampaoli for Argentina.

After a disappointing first managerial role with Universidad de Chile, Beccacece impressed with Defensa y Justicia, continuing the fine work of Ariel Holan with El Halcón.

Juan Pablo Vojvoda’s departure for Talleres had left Manuel Fernández as interim manager and so with the club once again looking for a new coach, Beccacece became an obvious candidate.

Already in talks it seems only a matter of time before Defensa y Justicia confirm Beccacece’s return.