Venezuela Sack Coach After World Cup Hopes End

Venezuela sack coach after World Cup hopes end

Venezuela sacked coach Fernando Batista on Wednesday night, a day after their World Cup qualification dream died and after an intervention by the country's president. News of Argentine Batista's sacking, alongside his entire backroom staff, came after President Nicolas Maduro had called for a "restructuring of the technical staff". That was 24 hours after Venezuela, known as the Vinotinto, were thumped 6-3 at home by neighbours Colombia, ending …

Venezuela and Peru fire coaches after failing to qualify for World Cup

CARACAS, Venezuela — Venezuela has fired coach Fernando Batista after the men’s national team failed — again — to qualify for the World Cup. Venezuela, the only South American team to have never competed in a World Cup, arrived at the last round of qualifiers needing a win over Colombia to secure the seventh place in the standings that grants a spot in the international playoffs. But Batista’s team lost 6-3, and Bolivia defeated Brazil 1-0 to se…