‘I wasn’t happy with him’

Anton Ferdinand has recalled the time he had some choice words for former teammate and now World Cup winning coach Lionel Scaloni.

Scaloni – who had a short spell on loan at West Ham in 2006 – led Argentina to their first World Cup since 1986 in Sunday’s thrilling penalty shootout victory over France.

The Argentine was in the West Ham side on the receiving end of a spot-kick defeat to Liverpool in the 2006 FA Cup final, widely known as the ‘Gerrard final’.

The game which ended 3-3 after extra-time is regarded as one of the most dramatic FA Cup final’s in history and teammate Anton Ferdinand revealed his torment which in part, fell at the feet of Scaloni.

The Hammers were leading 3-2 as the game went into added time and just needed to close out the final seconds in order to win the cup.

And Ferdinand told talkSPORT about the horrible moment.

“The ball goes down the line,” he told Drivetime. “Lionel, kick it in the top tier please. No no no no no no, he tries to keep it in play and I think Jamie Carrgher gets it, drives the ball, [Danny] Gabbidon heads it down and Stevie G, bang, goal.”

Gerrard’s last-gasp equaliser handed the initiative to the Reds who went on to win 3-1 on penalties and Ferdinand didn’t hold back on Scaloni in the dressing room.

He added: “After the game I wasn’t happy with him. I said a few things to him that were translated.”

Ferdinand was unable to lift a major trophy during his career and his disappointment at being so close in 2006 is still apparent.

As for Scaloni, he is the toast of Argentina after adding the World Cup to last year’s Copa America success.

And there could be more to come for Scaloni, whose contract runs until after the 2026 World Cup.

Lionel Messi has revealed he is not yet ready to retire from international duty and with a squad brimming with young talent the future of Argentinian football is bright.