Batista named new Argentina boss

Sergio Batista has been named the permanent successor to Diego Maradona as Argentina head coach.

Batista, 47, has been acting as caretaker following Maradona's departure after the World Cup, and oversaw victories over Republic of Ireland and Spain as well as a defeat to Japan.

He has been given a contract to the end of qualification for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, which would be extended should they qualify for the tournament, and will lead the side during next year's Copa America in Argentina.

"I'm very happy and I thank Julio (Grondona, AFA president) and the officials," Batista said. "This is a big responsibility. I'm looking forward to carrying on working the way we've been doing and working towards our aims.

"This is the best for me. Now I'll think only of working hard.

"I had faith on myself. When you take up a coaching role at a team, you set yourself goals and the biggest one is the national team. Maybe I reached this quite early, but I don't want to waste this chance. The biggest goal is getting to the World Cup and winning it."

Batista, who led Argentina's Under-23 side to the 2008 Beijing Olympics, has also announced his squad for the friendly against Brazil in Qatar on November 17.

Anderlecht midfielder Lucas Biglia, 24, receives his first call-up, while Manchester City duo Carlos Tevez and Pablo Zabaleta are included.

Argentina squad: Sergio Romero (AZ Alkmaar), Mariano Andujar (Catania); Gabriel Milito (Barcelona), Walter Samuel (Inter Milan), Javier Zanetti (Inter Milan), Nicolas Burdisso (Roma), Martin Demichelis (Bayern Munich), Nicolas Pareja (Spartak Moscow), Pablo Zabaleta (Manchester City), Gabriel Heinze (Marseille); Mario Bolatti (Fiorentina), Lucas Biglia (Anderlecht), Ever Banega (Valencia), Javier Mascherano (Barcelona), Javier Pastore (Palermo), Andres D'Alessandro (Internacional), Jose Sosa (Napoli), Angel Di Maria (Real Madrid); Gonzalo Higuain (Real Madrid), Lionel Messi (Barcelona), Sergio Aguero (Atletico Madrid), Diego Milito (Inter Milan), Ezequiel Lavezzi (Napoli), Carlos Tevez (Manchester City), Nicolas Gaitan (Benfica).