Interim coach Batista might win Argentina job with good results

Interim coach Sergio Batista may win the job as the head coach of the Argentina soccer team if they claim good results in upcoming friendlies against Ireland and World Cup champion Spain.

Argentina Football Association president Julio Grondona said on Friday that Batista could get the job permanently if Argentina wins both matches - at Ireland on Aug. 11 and at home against Spain on Sept. 7.

Batista was named interim coach after the AFA on Tuesday dropped Diego Maradona. Batista has been Argentina's youth team manager and led Argentina to the gold medal in the 2008 Olympics.

Source: Xinhua