Argentina will reach World Cup, says sacked coach Bauza
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[April 12, 2017]
By Rex Gowar
BUENOS AIRES (Reuters) - Lionel Messi's
faltering Argentina team will reach the 2018 World Cup finals in
Russia despite their precarious position in the qualifiers, sacked
coach Edgardo Bauza said on Tuesday.
The Argentine FA, under newly elected president Claudio Tapia,
sacked Bauza on Monday after he picked up 11 points in his eight
matches in charge.
Local media reports suggest Sevilla's Jorge Sampaoli is being lined
up to take over.
"We got some results that were good and others not so and Argentina
are now in a position that I think they will qualify for the World
Cup," Bauza told a news conference in which neither he nor Tapia
took questions from the floor.
"There are four big matches to go," the 59-year-old added at his
official exit, referring to the remaining qualifiers later this
year.
When Bauza was appointed by Tapia's predecessor last August, the
team were third in the 10-nation group, among the four automatic
qualifying berths, and he said at the time: "I see Argentina as
world champions".
![](http://archives.lincolndailynews.com/2017/Apr/12/images/ads/current/best_friends_sda_120215.png)
Stigmatized by that comment and criticized for failing to put his
imprint on the team, he leaves Argentina in fifth place -- a spot
that would only be good enough for a two-leg playoff against a team
from Oceania at the end of the campaign.
Bauza praised the players, who have become the butt of media
criticism for their poor performances, especially when deprived of
Messi through injury.
"Many don't value the sacrifice they make, a generation who despite
having lost a final or two have always given their utmost,” said
Bauza, whose two Copa Libertadores victories had earned him the job.
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![](../images/041217PICS/sports55.jpg)
Argentina's national soccer team training - World Cup 2018
Qualifiers - Buenos Aires, Argentina - 13/11/16 - Argentina's former
head coach Edgardo Bauza walks. REUTERS/Marcos Brindicci
![](http://archives.lincolndailynews.com/2016/Mar/14/images/ads/current/tires250x300.gif)
Tapia hopes to secure the services of Sampaoli, who made a name at
international level by steering Chile to their first Copa America
title in 2015 when they beat Argentina in the final on penalties.
Sampaoli is one of three top Argentine coaches working in Europe who
were seen as candidates, including Diego Simeone of Atletico Madrid
and Tottenham Hotspur's Mauricio Pochettino.
The 57-year-old Sampaoli appears to be the most readily available
but whoever takes over is likely to have to do without Messi for the
next three qualifiers as he serves out a ban for insulting a match
official.
(Additional reporting by Luis Ampuero; Editing by Nick Mulvenney) [© 2017 Thomson Reuters. All
rights reserved.]
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