Pablo Zabaleta sees no reason why Argentina caretaker boss Sergio Batista cannot be handed the reins on a permanent basis and go on to take them to the 2014 World Cup.
Batista made a steady start to his temporary stewardship with last night’s 1-0 win over the Republic of Ireland at the Aviva Stadium. The performance was hardly dazzling, but the result at least went some way towards exorcising the demons of last month’s 4-0 World Cup quarter-final defeat to Germany.
Their next game in a few weeks’ time against World Cup winners Spain will offer a far truer indication as to whether Batista has what it takes to succeed Diego Maradona.
For now, Manchester City full-back Zabaleta feels Batista, who coached Argentina to the gold medal at the 2008 Olympics, has the trust and respect of the players.
“It is a really good opportunity for him, especially as he knows many of the players after coaching them in the Olympics,” said Zabaleta. “He is a very good coach with lots of experience, even more so now he is training the national team.
“He is someone who also played together for a long time with Diego, and when Maradona was coach they were always talking together. For me they have the same ideas, they try to play good football, so there is no difference.”
Asked whether Batista was good enough to take Argentina to the 2014 tournament in Brazil, Zabaleta replied: “I think so, yes.”
Zabaleta, meanwhile, would love to see City team-mate Stephen Ireland bring to an end his international exile. Ireland last pulled on a green jersey three years ago, deciding not to play for personal reasons, much to the frustration of supporters and manager Giovanni Trapattoni.
“Stevie is amazing. I want to see him playing for Ireland again,” added Zabaleta, who may have played his last game alongside Ireland if the midfielder joins Aston Villa as part of the deal involving James Milner heading to Eastlands.
“Personally I am disappointed he does not play for Ireland because he is a really good player with fantastic qualities. The Irish people would enjoy having Stevie Ireland in the squad, but it’s his decision, and we have to accept that.”