Bianchi turns down Argentina job

Carlos Bianchi has rejected an offer to take over as Argentina boss and Jose Pekerman is now the favourite to succeed Marcelo Bielsa.

Bianchi was the first choice of the Argentine FA after his success in charge of Boca Juniors and Velez Sarsfield, and the huge support he has from the people.

But he did not accept the offer.

Argentina FA president Julio Grondona said: “I’m terribly sorry. We wanted Bianchi for the national team but he rejected due to personal reasons.

“At this time he’s not willing to coach again.”

Bianchi resigned from Boca two months ago claiming he wanted to spend more time with his family.

Pedro Pompilio, Boca vice-president and member of the Argentina FA executive committee, tried to convince Bianchi to take the job.

He said: “He’s in the same position as two months ago. His priority is not coaching a team but being close to his family.

“I did all I could to convince him but it was impossible. It was a clear ‘no’.”

With Bianchi out of the race, the former youth national teams boss Pekerman is the man that Grondona prefers.

“I will meet him on Thursday. After talking to him I will tell you what are the odds of hiring him,” the FA president revealed.

“We don’t have to mention all the merits Pekerman has. We know what he means to Argentine football.

“Most of the players currently in the national team played with Pekerman as youths.”

Pekerman led the Argentina Under-20 national team to win three world cups, in 1995, 1997 and 2001.

Pablo Aimar, Juan Pablo Sorin, Walter Samuel, Javier Saviola and Andres D’Alessandro are some of the players he coached in those teams.

Grondona intends to sign a new coach quickly after the Bielsa’s unexpected resignation, because Argentina meet Uruguay in a World Cup qualifier on October 9 and they have to name the squad for the tie on September 24.