Fernando Batista expresses joy and enthusiasm as he succeeds Jose Pekerman as the coach of the Venezuelan national football team
Fernando Batista, the Argentine, declared himself "excited" on Thursday to succeed Jose Pekerman as the coach of the Venezuelan national football team, with the goal of competing for qualification to the World Cup. Venezuela is the only South American country that has never played in the tournament.
"Successor is a difficult word. José has always been a role model for all the youngsters who have passed through his hands," said 'Bocha' Batista at a press conference in Caracas, after his debut in friendly matches against Saudi Arabia, a 2-1 victory, and Uzbekistan, a 1-1 draw.
"I am very excited and very happy," added Batista, 52, who was appointed coach of the Vinotinto on March 10, after serving as Pekerman's assistant.
Pekerman, 73, had taken charge of Venezuela in November 2021 with the promise of leading a restructuring of Venezuelan football.
The press in Argentina reported that non-compliance by the Venezuelan Football Federation (FVF) caused the rupture, but reports in Venezuela suggest that the break was due to "irregularities" in the management of Pascual Lezcano, the veteran coach's agent, as the national team manager.
The FVF released a statement on Tuesday seeking to end the controversy, stating that the relationship between both parties ended "amicably" and resolved "any previous differences."
"The reasons for Pekerman's departure remain between us," said Batista. "When I was given the opportunity by Jorge Giménez, the president of the FVF, to continue with the project, because ultimately it is a continuation of a project, I naturally communicated it to José (...), we discussed it, and that was it, no problem."
The South American qualifying for the 2026 World Cup, which will be jointly hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, will offer six direct slots and one for the playoffs due to the expansion of the number of participating teams from 32 to 48.
"It excites as it should excite all national teams. Perhaps in the case of Venezuela, not having had the opportunity to go to a World Cup can be even more inspiring," said Batista about the aspirations of qualifying for the World Cup.
"It is not easy (...), but I am a very positive person, I am someone who goes after dreams, and one of my dreams today, the biggest one, is that," he concluded.