Argentine Boss Dismissed

The Argentine Football Federation Sack Head Coach Sergio Batista

Ex-Argentine Coach Sergio Batista

In a move which surprised nobody, the Argentine Football Federation (AFA), handed Sergio Batista his walking papers on Monday.

One could say Argentina had a disastrous Copa America campaign under Batista's guidance. 

I, however, disagree with this opinion. Batista was hired just a year ago and Argentina, which only won one game at the Copa America, were starting to look strong before being defeated by a brilliant Uruguayan side. What's more it was the Uruguayan keeper, Fernando Muslera, who single-handedly knocked the Albicelestes out of the tournament.

Batista took over a fragile, star-studded side which was expected to cruise through the Copa America and give Argentina the trophy they've been yearning for since Diego Armando Maradona lifted the World Cup in Mexico '86 .  

The problem I have with the firing of Batista is not that the he was the wrong man for the job, but that he was not given the necessary amount of time to work with the squad. He coached the Albiceleste in only 17 games and I personally don't think that is enough time to prepare a squad for a tournament which you are expected to win, not only by Argentine's but by most of us who follow the beautiful game. The Albiceleste's loss to Uruguay in penalties should have been viewed by the AFA as a bump in the long road toward bringing the World Cup back to Argentina. They however, and perhaps by tremendous pressure from the fans, saw it differently and decided the squad needed new guidance.

I'll be the first to admit Argentina looked horrible in their first two games, but began looking stronger in their match against Costa Rica, despite the fact Costa Rica brought their B-team, and played a great game against Uruguay.

It was apparent the players were getting used to Batista's system and Batista was starting to see which 11 gave him the best chance to win. The team was showing signs of  improvement; now the squad is back at square one, learning a new system under a new coach who will have to see which 11 will give him the best chance to get the results Argentina desires. 

Lets just hope the new boss doesn't get sacked if the Albiceleste don't produce early on in their World Cup Qualifying campaign.

Argentine fans must remember that Rome was not built in a day, it took years and a lot of hard work. I believe Argentina can be crowned the next World Cup Champions, I just hope their football governing body doesn't ruin their chances before they get a chance to pull out of the gate.