Batista is the New Argentine Coach

Sergio Batista will officially replace Maradona as head coach of the Argentina soccer team until 2014; it was announced on Tuesday by the president of the Argentina Soccer Association (AFA), Julio Grondona.

“From now on and until 2014, Batista is the coach,” said Grondona in a press conference at the headquarters of the AFA in the town of Ezeiza (southern suburbs).

Batista led the Argentine team to a gold medal at the Beijing Olympics-2008, he was in charge of youth teams.

“I’m very happy. Being the coach of Argentina is a great responsibility, but I’m happy because I can meet the goals I set when I started this coaching career,” said Batista in the press conference.

Batista will debut as coach in the friendly match that Argentina will play with Brazil in Doha on November 17^th.