Argentina superstar Gabriel Batistuta linked to Adelaide United coaching role

SUPERSTAR Gabriel Batistuta has been linked to Adelaide United’s coaching job.

As the club is seemingly running out of patience with Reds boss Guillermo Amor procrastinating about his future Batistuta, 48, is the second big name name to flag interest in days.

Amor’s Spanish international team-mate at the 1998 FIFA World Cup and EURO 96 Jose Molina exclusively confirmed to The Advertiser last weekend he is keen on coaching in Australia.


Gabriel Batistuta celebrates scoring goal during the 2000 Italian Serie A First Division.
Described by Diego Maradona as the best striker of all time, the Argentine legend’s agent has according to sources put Batistuta’s name forward as a Reds coaching candidate.

A Reds official wouldn’t confirm or deny whether Batistuta’s managerial team had made contact.

It’s understood Adelaide officials are becoming frustrated at Amor’s silence but defender Michael Marrone who is contracted next season claimed the situation hasn’t affected him.

“I wouldn’t say frustrating, I guess I’m in an easier situation,’’ Marrone said.

“It’s out of my hands but it’s probably a little bit more difficult for players that haven’t re-signed or have got a couple of months left (on their contracts), they’re not sure what’s going on.

“Hopefully we find out soon about the coaching situation and the rest, either way I’d be happy if he (Amor) stays on.”

But just like Amor — a Barcelona legend who never coached seniors until he was elevated to the Reds job in 2015 before winning the A-League double last season — Batistuta’s presence on the Reds bench would attract huge global attention.

In 2007 he was linked to the Socceroos coaching gig after he kept a low profile in Perth following his retirement from playing.

Before that Batistuta was named in the “FIFA 100” greatest living footballers as nominated by Pelé.

And the Argentine reportedly completed all of his coaching badges in Argentina before settling in WA from 2006 until 2010.

Batistuta also completed an express English course at Phoenix Academy in Perth with a focus on speaking and listening skills.

Batistuta — nicknamed Batigol — scored 56 goals in 78 internationals for Argentina in an international career which saw him feature from 1991 until his last match in 2002 at the FIFA World Cup.

The former Fiorentina and AS Roma striker scored 300 club goals during his career including 207 for Fiorentina and was appointed technical director of Argentine club Club Atletico Colon in 2011 after leaving Perth in 2010.

Gabriel is also very popular in Florence where Fiorentina fans built a life-size bronze statue of him in 1996.

He was given the keys to the city of Florence last year.

http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/sport/football/a-league/teams/adelaide/argentina-superstar-gabriel-batisuta-linked-to-adelaide-united-coaching-role/news-story/adfb3b3c897f823a85d8cb4f1c04ecb8

oh gosh really Val
first he linked Molina to AUFC
now Batigol

who is next ? Cesare Maldini

Val, you really are scraping the low depths for news and trying to destabilise the club , Enough....

Adelaide United in talks with Gabriel Batistuta to take over as head coach

Current coach Gui Amor is out of contract and negotiations have been stalled, leading Adelaide to think of alternative solutions.

Stunningly, Batistuta’s name has been thrown into the mix, with the former Serie A top-scorer interested in the A-League gig.

“The ongoing speculation regarding Adelaide United’s head coaching role continues,” explained Fox Sports football reporter Michael Zappone before Adelaide’s Friday night game with Melbourne City.

“There was a report in the Adelaide Advertiser during the week that Gabriel Batistuta, the former Fiorentina star, is interested in the job.

I can reveal both Adelaide officials and Batistuta have spoken and they are keen. They will meet in the next couple of weeks to discuss a job at Adelaide United.

Gabriel Batistuta celebrates scoring for Argentina in 1998.
Gabriel Batistuta celebrates scoring for Argentina in 1998.Source: AP
“He doesn’t have a huge resume when it comes to coaching – he has done some coaching in Argentina at a local level – but I’m told they will get around this by bringing in a very senior assistant coach and an Australian assistant coach as well. If they can confirm terms, Gabriel Batistuta will be heading down under to coach Adelaide United.”

Batistuta was named in Pele’s ‘FIFA 100’ – the list of 100 greatest living footballers – while he held the record for Argentina’s top scorer with 54 goals in 77 appearances until Lionel Messi broke his record in 2016.

Gabriel Batistuta from Argentina celebrates.
Gabriel Batistuta from Argentina celebrates.Source: AFP
Former Adelaide United captain Travis Dodd called on Adelaide United to make a quick decision of their next boss.

“It would be unbelievable to get a big name like Batistuta involved but if they’re going to do it they need to do it quickly,” he said on Fox Sports pre-game show Kick Off.

“We’ve seen there’s only a couple of players resigned for next season. We’ve also heard [Sergio] Cirio is possibly going to Central Coast Mariners so they need to get something sorted so they can get players sown up.”

http://www.foxsports.com.au/football/a-league/adelaide-united-in-talks-with-gabriel-batistuta-to-take-over-as-head-coach/news-story/f192b1d6db508af6917ac54838a76faa

Well looks like Val is driving the agenda here... Weird since hardly anyone at the club wants to talk to him , never mind, he must have the sugo .....
As for Batigol , article says he has completed coaching certs in Argentina, be interesting to compare that to FFA curriculum..

Batistuta to Adelaide has "encountered some turbulence" or some shit.

I assume we won't pay him what he wants and he's told us to go fuck ourselves, so we'll sign Mark Jones instead.

Return of Kossie?

Kossie and the AUFC board do mix well