OFFICIAL: Fernando Batista appointed as Venezuelan coach

2023-03-11 13:33

OFFICIAL: Fernando Batista appointed as Venezuelan coach


Fernando Batista , 52, was named Venezuela's coach on Friday.


Batista's term will end in 2027, confirmed by Venezuelan Football Federation (FVF) president Jorge Gimenez. The Argentine will lead Venezuelan to the 2024 Copa America and the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico.


"Battista's contract is for four years. Our idea is to let him take the team to the World Cup in our home country in four years to realize our dream," Jorge Gimenez declared at a news conference.


Fernando Batista is from Argentina and played for Argentinos Juniors, San Lorenzo, Godoy Cruz and Club Atlético All Boys during his playing days. He announced he would hang up his boots in June 2001, at the age of 31.


In July 2005, Batista returned to Argentinos Juniors to take charge of the training and development of young players. Since 2016, he has successively coached Armenia U18, Armenia U19, Argentina U20 and Argentina U23, and finally followed Pekerman to Venezuela.


After Pekerman resigned as the Venezuelan coach for some reason, Batista stayed on as the former assistant coach. He has therefore been highly praised by Jimenez: "All the personnel left behind have shown the highest standards of commitment and dedication to the national team, Venezuelans and the Football Association."