Argentine coaches working in South America have done their national team a few bad turns over the past two years and Jorge Celico could deny the two-time champions and 2014 runners-up a place at the World Cup in Russia next year.
Celico, little known in his native Argentina, could help to dash the hopes of Lionel Messi's team if his Ecuador side deny them the win they need in their final qualifier on Tuesday in the tricky venue of Quito at high altitude in the Andes.
"Destiny put things in your path that you don't imagine," Celico was quoted as saying by Argentine broadcaster TyC Sports.
"I have a big commitment to the people of Ecuador, because I have done my [coaching career] here. Today I have to be thankful for that and do my best, as is right," he said when asked what it meant to face his country.
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Argentina's current campaign, in stark contrast to the last World Cup cycle when they qualified comfortably and reached the final in Brazil, has been dogged by Argentine FA mismanagement, two changes of manager and poor results.
Gerardo Martino steered them to the Copa America final in 2015 but they lost on penalties to the Chile team managed by Argentine Jorge Sampaoli, who is now at Argentina's helm.
Chile were under Argentine-born former Spain striker Juan Antonio Pizzi when they stunned Argentina again a year later in the final of the Centenary Copa America in the United States, also on penalties after another 0-0 draw.
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An Argentina soccer fan decked out in his team's colors smiles prior a World Cup qualifying soccer match against Peru at la Bombonera stadium in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Thursday, Oct. 5, 2017. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko) -
Argentina's Dario Benedetto and Peru's Miguel Araujo vie for the ball during their 2018 World Cup football qualifier match in Buenos Aires on October 5, 2017. / AFP PHOTO / EITAN ABRAMOVICH -
Argentina's Javier Mascherano, center, argues with Peru's Ivan Bulos, right, during a World Cup qualifying soccer match as referee Wilton Sampaio, left, looks on at La Bombonera stadium in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Thursday, Oct. 5, 2017. (AP Photo/Victor R. Caivano) -
Argentina's Dario Benedetto jumps over Peru's Miguel Araujo during their 2018 World Cup qualifier football match in Buenos Aires on October 5, 2017. / AFP PHOTO / Eitan ABRAMOVICH -
Peru's Aldo Corzo (L) and Argentina's Marcos Acuna vie for the ball during their 2018 World Cup football qualifier match in Buenos Aires on October 5, 2017. / AFP PHOTO / EITAN ABRAMOVICH -
A fan cheers for Argentina during a World Cup qualifying soccer match against Peru at La Bombonera stadium in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Thursday, Oct. 5, 2017. (AP Photo/Victor R. Caivano) -
Argentina's Alejandro Gomez gestures during the 2018 World Cup qualifier football match against Peru in Buenos Aires on October 5, 2017. / AFP PHOTO / Juan MABROMATA -
Brazilian referee Wilton Pereira Sampaio yellow cards Peru's Renato Tapia (2-R) as Argentina's Ever Banega lies on the ground during their 2018 World Cup qualifier football match in Buenos Aires on October 5, 2017. / AFP PHOTO / Alejandro PAGNI -
Argentina's Nicolas Otamendi (top) heads the ball during the 2018 World Cup qualifier football match against Peru in Buenos Aires on October 5, 2017. / AFP PHOTO / Juan MABROMATA -
Peru's Sergio Pena (R) is marked by Argentina's Lucas Biglia (L) and Ever Banega during their 2018 World Cup qualifier football match in Buenos Aires on October 5, 2017. / AFP PHOTO / Juan MABROMATA -
Argentina's Lionel Messi (C) is marked by Peru's Renato Tapia (R) and Victor Yotun during their 2018 World Cup qualifier football match in Buenos Aires on October 5, 2017. / AFP PHOTO / Alejandro PAGNI -
Argentina's Gabriel Mercado (R) is marked by Peru's Edison Flores during their 2018 World Cup qualifier football match in Buenos Aires on October 5, 2017. / AFP PHOTO / Juan MABROMATA -
Supporters of Argentina cheer as they wait for the start of the 2018 World Cup qualifier football match against Peru in Buenos Aires on October 5, 2017. / AFP PHOTO / Juan MABROMATA -
Argentina's Lionel Messi (C) drives the ball during the 2018 World Cup football qualifier match against Peru in Buenos Aires on October 5, 2017. / AFP PHOTO / Juan MABROMATA -
Argentina's Javier Mascherano gestures after missing a goal opportunity against Peru during their 2018 World Cup qualifier football match in Buenos Aires on October 5, 2017. / AFP PHOTO / Alejandro PAGNI -
Argentina's Lionel Messi (L) and Peru's Victor Yotun vie for the ball during their 2018 World Cup qualifier football match in Buenos Aires on October 5, 2017. / AFP PHOTO / EITAN ABRAMOVICH -
Argentina's Dario Benedetto and Peru's Miguel Trauco (R) vie for the ball during their 2018 World Cup football qualifier match in Buenos Aires on October 5, 2017. / AFP PHOTO / EITAN ABRAMOVICH -
Argentina's Lionel Messi, right, fights for the ball with Peru's Alberto Rodriguez, center, and Renato Tapia during a World Cup qualifying soccer match at La Bombonera stadium in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Thursday, Oct. 5, 2017. (AP Photo/Victor R. Caivano) -
Argentina's Dario Benedetto (7) jumps for the ball with Peru's Aldo Corzo, right, during a World Cup qualifying soccer match at La Bombonera stadium in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Thursday, Oct. 5, 2017. (AP Photo/Victor R. Caivano) -
An Argentina fan chats on her mobile phone after her home team played Peru to a 0-0 draw, after a World Cup qualifying soccer match at La Bombonera stadium in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Thursday, Oct. 5, 2017. The draw has left Argentina with little possibility to make it to the World Cup in Russia. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko) -
Argentina's Lionel Messi (R) talks with Peru's Miguel Araujo at the end of their goalless 2018 World Cup qualifier football match in Buenos Aires on October 5, 2017. / AFP PHOTO / Juan MABROMATA
That result promoted Messi to quit international football, fearing he might be responsible for his country's jinx.
Martino also quit but Messi came back under new manager Edgardo Bauza, who until last month was in charge of the UAE national team before departing for Saudi Arabia, although the team did not improve and he was replaced by Sampaoli.
Meanwhile, Peru were beginning to rediscover the sort of form that saw them reach three World Cups between 1970 and 1982, their last, under Argentine manager Ricardo Gareca.
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Peru held Argentina to a 0-0 draw in Buenos Aires on Thursday that left Sampaoli's team in sixth place in the 10-nation South American group, out of the qualifying places for Russia.
The top four qualify automatically and the fifth-placed side go into an intercontinental play-off against Oceania winners New Zealand.
A bad omen is that Argentina began their qualifying campaign with a shock 2-0 home loss to Ecuador two years ago when they were coached by Argentine Gustavo Quinteros.
