Argentina sack Edgardo Bauza as World Cup 2018 qualifying chances hang by a threat with Lionel Messi still suspended
Sevilla's Jorge Sampaoli and Atletico Madrid's Diego Simeone front-runners for job which saw Bauza last less than a year
ARGENTINA have sacked beleaguered boss Edgardo Bauza as their chances of qualifying for the 2018 World Cup hang by a thread.
The former San Lorenzo and Sao Paolo manager took charge in August last year but has failed to last a year after winning just three out of eight games.
Reports late last month claimed Bauza’s time at the helm was over after Argentina suffered a shock 2-0 defeat to minnows Bolivia, leaving them in fifth in the South American group stage.
And Argentine Football Association president Claudio Tapia has now confirmed that Bauza has been given the boot, telling reporters: “We’ve reached an agreement. We’ve told Bauza he’s ceased to be the national team coach.”
Argentina will now look to secure a new gaffer ahead of a friendly against fierce rivals in Brazil in June.
Sevilla’s Jorge Sampaoli is favourite to take over after admitting that he ‘dreams’ of coaching Lionel Messi, with Atletico Madrid chief Diego Simeone also in the running.
But whoever gets the nod will have to do without the talismanic Barcelona forward after he received a four-match ban for swearing at an official during March’s narrow win over Chile.
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Messi was missing for the defeat to Bolivia and will continue to watch from the sideline when Argentina face Uruguay in late August before hosting Venezuela in early September.
And the two-time World Cup winners can’t afford to drop points against either side as they sit outside the automatic qualifying positions.