Argentina interim coach Batista given extension
Coming off a thrashing of the World Cup champion, Argentina's interim coach Sergio Batista will keep his job until at least the end of the year.
As a reward for the 4-1 victory of Spain, the former Argentina youth coach will continue his post after being named interim coach last month.
Batista replaced Diego Maradona after Mardona's fallout with the Argentine Football Association's Carlos Bilardo and Julio Grondona. In his first game, Argentina defeated Ireland 1-0 in August.
Luis Seguro of the AFA confirmed after the win versus Spain that Batista would continue. An evaluation will take place at the end of the year to determine the direction the team wants to go in.
Several candidates have been mentioned for the job. Reports in Argentina suggest that if Batista continues to impress as coach, he will be offered the job full time. Alejandro Sabella, who won the Copa Libertadores with Estudiantes, has been mentioned as a candidate. Miguel Angel Russo and Carlos Bianchi have also been mentioned.
Batista has spent most of his career in Argentina. He has played for Argentinos Juniors, River Plate, Nueva Chicago, All Boys, and also spent one season in Japan playing for the Tosu Futures.
His first coaching job came in 2000 when he coached Bella Vista of Uruguay. Before coaching the youth national teams, he coached Argentina's Argentinos Juniors twice, Talleres, Nueva Chicago, and Godoy Cruz.
Batista led Argentina to the Gold Medal at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing.
He has been praised in Argentina for his squad selection. In a highly publicized selection, Maradona failed to take veterans Esteban Cambiasso and Javier Zanetti to the World Cup. Both important players for European champs Inter Milan, Batista has since recalled the players for their recent contests.
Batista has also called up midfielder Ever Banega, a player that many Argentine's wanted to be included in the squad for the World Cup. Banega has received rave reviews for his play under Batista. The decision to call Banega has caught the eye of the AFA.
Batista has his shot to earn his dream job on a permanent basis. Argentina next face Japan in October.
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