Argentina coach Sergio Batista has lost his job in the wake of Argentina’s Copa America quarterfinal exit on home soil.
Batista only officially replaced DiegoMaradona six months earlier, but his days had appeared to be numbered after Argentina lost a quarterfinal shootout to old rival Uruguay — who went on to win the title.
Argentinastarted the Copa America by tying Bolivia and Colombia, and its only win in the tournament came against Costa Rica in its final group game.
There was no immediate word on a successor,athough the main candidates appear to be Alejandro Sabella and Paraguay coach Gerardo Martino. Batista, 48, took over from Maradona after the 2010 World Cup finalsinitially on a temporary basis, but landed a permanent role just three months into the job.