Sergio Batista has been confirmed as Argentina’s new national team coach, just over three months after Diego Maradonawas forced out and two months after Batista led Argentina to a 4-1 win over World Cup champion Spain — a morale-booster for Argentina, which had exited after its loss to Germany in the World Cupquarterfinals.
Batista, who turns 48 next week, led Argentina to the Olympic gold medal in men’s soccer two years ago in Beijing. His aim is to lead Argentina to a World Cup title in 2014in neighboring Brazil. But first up will be the 2011 Copa America — hosted by Argentina.
“We begin a new stage now,” he said. “I don’t look back. I’m not going to talk about the past –I have no reason to. There is a lot of work until 2014 and I have to worry about this. I don’t like to speak about other things that are not about soccer.”