Sergio Batista named head coach of Argentina
Former Argentina international Sergio Batista, who had taken over as Argentina's head coach on an interim basis after the country's quarter-final exit from the World Cup during the summer, has officially
been named head coach on a permanent basis by the Argentinian Football Association.
Batista initially took over the Argentina job for Diego Maradona who had had a contract extension withdrawn over disagreements between he and the association about his staff.
After taking over the side in a caretaker role, Batista led Argentina to wins over Ireland and over the world champions, Spain. Despite losing most recently in a friendly match to Japan, Batista's efforts
were rewarded by his being handed the permanent job by the AFA.
"I am very happy to be the new coach of Argentina,"
Batista said in a press conference. "It's a great responsibility and I'd like to thank Julio Grondona and Carlo Bilardo for the faith they have shown in me. I really wanted to continue
working as Argentina coach. You always want to meet the goals you set when you start a new job. I don't want to waste this opportunity and will do my utmost to be successful."
Batista, who was a team-mate of Maradona's when Argentina won the World Cup in 1986 has already stated his goal for his tenure in charge.
"I'm fulfilling a dream, one of my great objectives. I want us to win what we so desire, the last game of the 2014 World Cup," he said.
Batista's first test as the permanent head coach will come when Argentina take on the 2014 World Cup hosts, Brazil, in a friendly match on 17 November.
Maradona, who turned 50 last Saturday, said it was the worst birthday of his life and that he vowed to reclaim the national side's head coaching position in the future.
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