World NewsBatistuta: I Won't Coach |
Former Argentina striker Gabriel Batistuta insists he is not interested in taking on a role in football management - even at a top club.
The 38-year-old former Fiorentina, Roma and Internazionale forward, who retired in 2005 while playing at Al-Arabi, is adamant he is not tempted to embark on a coaching career, which is seen as a natural progression by many players.Batistuta believes football in Argentina is tainted by hooliganism and he would be scared to be responsible for a team.
"I would not coach at any price," he told Radio del Plata. "I won't become a coach even if I was offered Manchester United or the national team.
"I would sit down and discuss it and analyse what would happen when I win or lose (a game).
"I have to prepare myself more for this environment.
"Things inside football are not the way I like. Hooligans scare me a little bit. In Italy, there were hooligans everywhere too, but they were controlled. (In Argentina), in some clubs, they are working there."
Batistuta, who scored 56 goals in 78 games for Argentina, believes the national team are currently going through a period of transition and need to accept they will not always be the best side.
The Albicelestes have not won any title since the 1993 Copa America under Alfio Basile, the current boss.
"There are a lot of players, but they need to improve a little bit," he added.
"The positive thing is that there is a long time before the World Cup. There must be a change for this team to become a winner. We shouldn't believe we are the best, we must accept reality."
In South America, we beat everybody but Brazil. When Argentina plays other teams we say 'We'll win', but against Brazil we say 'We'll see what happens'.
"In Europe, there are a lot of good national sides and we are not above them. We are at the same level and, in some cases, below them."
Copyright (c) 2009 Press Association
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