Eric Cantona has quipped that Jorge Sampaoli is 'the only night club bouncer who doesn't decide who gets in or not' after the Argentina coach lost control of the dressing room.
Sampaoli, who resembles a stereotypical bouncer with his bald head and tattoo sleeves, saw his authority wane after Argentina were thrashed 3-0 by Croatia in their second group game.
There were suggestions star player Lionel Messi was running the side when Sampaoli appeared to ask him whether he could bring on Sergio Aguero during the decisive game with Nigeria.
And the moment didn't escape the attentions of Manchester United legend Cantona in his role as Eurosport's World Cup 'Commissioner of Football'.
He said: 'Lionel Messi might not be 'The GOAT [Greatest of All Time] yet, but for sure he is 'the coach'.
'When Sampoli asked him for authorization to bring in Aguero, there was no doubt who was the real boss in that team.
'Actually, Sampaoli is the only night club bouncer who doesn't decide who gets in or not!'
Argentina squeezed into the last-16 after Marcos Rojo scored a late winner against Nigeria, but they now take on one of the pre-tournament favourites in France on Saturday in Kazan.
Sampoli claimed the touchline conversation with Messi 'was not how it was characterised' ahead of the last-16 tie.
The coach said: 'We looked at different options in an important game and had to make a decision.
'I was simply communicating this, saying we were going to use a strategy we had rehearsed to use more attacking players.
'It was a simple exchange I had with one of my players, that is all.'