Bauza on the brink after latest Argentina qualifying woe

Edgardo Bauza’s tenure as Argentina manager could be drawing to a close. The executive committee of the Argentina Football Association met on Friday to discuss the state of the national team and although the assembled suits denied that Bauza’s job was on the agenda, the manager is to be called before the committee on Monday.

AFA president Chiqui Tapia was ambiguous when asked about Bauza after the meeting: “We have to give Patón our support… but we also have to revise all of the contracts.”

Vice-president Daniel Angelici appeared to confirm that the matter would be discussed on Monday: “We will analyse his work.”

Another vice-president, Hugo Moyano, went further still: “In the course of the next few days we will decide over Bauza.”

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Bauza's record with Argentina

Bauza assumed the reins of the Argentina team in August 2016 and in eight games in charge has picked up just 11 points in Conmebol qualifying, leaving the side in fifth in the South American group. There are only four games remaining in qualifying for the 2018 World Cup in Russia and star player Leo Messi will be missing for three of them after being handed a four-match ban for swearing at a linesman in the 1-0 win over Chile. Argentina lost their next match, in the absence of Messi, 2-0 in Bolivia.

Sevilla boss Sampaoli AFA's primary target

The AFA is keen to poach Jorge Sampaoli, who led Chile to Copa América glory in 2015 before joining Sevilla, beating Argentina in the final.

Sampaoli has so far remained circumspect about the possibility of leading his country but he has certainly done his lofty reputation no harm this season at the Sánchez Pizjuán.

Argentina’s next qualifiers take place in late August, after the conclusion of the European domestic season.

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