Batista near certain to replace Maradona as Argentina coach

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina — Interim Argentina coach Sergio Batista is almost certain to become the permanent replacement for Diego Maradona, according to the Argentine football association president. Julio Grondona also suggested in a radio interview late Tuesday that midfielder Juan Ramon Riquelme would return to playing for the national team. The Boca Juniors playmaker was left out of the squad by Maradona, part of a personal feud between the two. "There would have to be very large problems for Batista not to continue as the coach of the national team," Grondona said on radio Independiencia de Tucuman. Batista, who played with Maradona on Argentina's 1986 World Cup-winning team, coached Argentina to the gold medal in the 2008 Beijing Olympics. The team was led by Barcelona star Lionel Messi, who has offered his early support to Batista. The AFA announed on July 27 it would not renew Maradona's contract, which came just 3½ weeks after Argentina was humiliated in 4-0 loss to Germany in the World Cup quarterfinals. "I don't have the least doubt that Riquelme, when he returns to top form, will also be called up," Grondona said. "At least, this is very clear to me." In his first match earlier this month, Batista led Argentina to a 1-0 victory over Ireland. Argentine's remaining friendlies this year are September 7 against Spain in Buenos Aires; October 8 versus Japan in Tokyo; November 17 opposite Brazil in Doha, Qatar and December 19 against Brazil in Buenos Aires. – AP