Argentina fire manager Bauza
BUENOS AIRES, Argentina, April 11, (Agencies): Argentina has fired its newly appointed national head coach Edgardo Bauza after just eight months in the job, as the team struggles in qualifying matches for next year’s World Cup in Russia.
The Argentine Football Association confirmed Monday that Bauza’s reign was over after just eight matches in charge.
“Bauza has been informed that he is no longer the coach of the national team,” AFA President Claudio Tapia told reporters.
Bauza, 59, only started the job last August when Gerardo Martino departed after Argentina’s loss in the final of Copa America Centenario.
That defeat prompted captain Lionel Messi to announce he was quitting the national team, and although Bauza persuaded Messi to change his mind and target the 2018 World Cup, the team’s fortunes did not improve.
During Bauza’s brief stint, Argentina had three wins, three defeats and two draws, all in World Cup qualifiers.
World Cup champions twice before, and beaten finalists in 2014, Argentina are currently fifth in the South American qualifying standings with four matches left. The top four qualify automatically with the fifth team advancing to a playoff.
Tapia said a news conference would be held Tuesday to discuss the coaching position. The next manager has not yet been named but local media have speculated that Argentina-born Jorge Sampaoli, the coach of Spanish club Sevilla, is a possible candidate.
Chelsea striker Diego Costa offers more than just goals and will rise to the occasion in Sunday’s trip to face Manchester United despite his recent lean spell in front of goal, wing back Marcos Alonso has said.
Costa’s 17 league goals have helped Chelsea build a comfortable seven-point lead at the top of the Premier League table but the 28-year-old Spaniard has failed score in his last five games for the club. “Is he a big game player? Yes. Manchester United is going to be a tough game for us but it doesn’t matter who scores, hopefully we will get the three points,” Alonso told British media.
“Diego has been massive for Chelsea this season. He has almost scored 20 goals and that is a significant contribution. But it’s not just about that, with the way we play, he is very important.”
Second-placed Tottenham Hotspur’s run of six consecutive league victories has put Chelsea under increasing pressure to pick up points and Alonso admits Costa’s sense of humour often helps defuse the tension in the dressing room.
“Diego is very good for the group ... The pressure is there. It’s good to play with this pressure because it means we are fighting for titles and trying to stay up there,” Alonso added.
“It’s good to have someone like Diego around who is funny and provides something to enjoy. Being in this position is something that should always be enjoyed.”
Wales manager Chris Coleman is the right man to guide the country to their first World Cup finals since 1958, winger Gareth Bale has said.
Wales’ hopes of qualifying for the 2018 World Cup in Russia hang in the balance after a run of four consecutive draws left them third in Group D, four points adrift of Serbia and Republic of Ireland with five games left.
Bauza