Mr. Julio Grondona and Mr. Sergio Batista,
On behalf of millions of fans both in Argentina and abroad who have suffered two decades of continued failure, agony and heartache, we kindly ask you: Out of respect for an entire Argentine nation and its football-stricken people, and for the love of the sacred Albiceleste shirt and everything it represents, please… step down.
Mr.Batista,
With this year’s Copa America being played on home soil and given the quality of players you had at your disposal, it was expected of you to finally end the senior national team’s 18-year long drought of international titles. Throughout the past year, you were provided with several friendlies to experiment your ideas and in the past two months alone, you had more than sufficient time with the players to prepare at Ezeiza. So all was in place for you to succeed in this mission and therefore anything less than lifting the trophy on July 24th was deemed unacceptable.
As fans who eat and breathe football every day, we anticipated this glory for months and our hopes were high for this team with its excellent generation of players. But instead, as has been the case since 1993, we have had to endure another 3 weeks of utter disappointment, frustration and despair. In summary, you could only manage two narrowly escaped draws against Bolivia and Colombia, then failed to beat a 10 man Uruguayan side who even proved more dangerous than your 11 men. A sole victory over an unprepared under 23 Costa Rican side is nothing to be complacent about.
So with all due respect, Mr.Batista, given Argentina’s early elimination from the Copa America and the embarrassing performances we witnessed on display, we see no justifiable reason for you to continue leading the Seleccion. You were given the best environment and conditions to succeed in, but it became increasingly clear that you are not the right man qualified for this demanding job. Thanks for your efforts, we know you tried your best, but it is time for you to realize that you failed. As an Argentine yourself, you should be disappointed just as much as we are, and consequently you should understand our position and our reluctance to hear any more excuses for this nonnegotiable failure on your part. So please, bow out while the time is right. It is the only right thing to do before the World Cup qualifiers begin to avoid the same suffering we had in the last qualifiers.
Mr.Grondona,
You have led Argentina into its darkest period: 18 years of no titles, and still counting. The senior national team has failed to win any major trophy since 1993 and even failed to advance farther than a World Cup quarter final since 1990. In summary, under your leadership, the past two decades have seen Argentina fall from a recognized football powerhouse to an under-achieving, mediocre team. Considering the wealth of talent produced within this same period, the only explanation for Argentina’s shortcomings is its lack of proper management.
The situation with the youth national teams has also hit an all-time low: As you know, Mr. Walter Perazzo failed to qualify for the London 2012 Olympics and Mr. Oscar Garre could not even reach the quarter-finals of the U17 World Cup. Whatsmore, Mr. Miguel Angel Lemme, who even tried to punch a Uruguayan journalist during the last WC Qualifiers, is still involved in a role with the U15. What kind of example can he give the kids?
Obviously, the youth and senior national teams lack any common philosophy or identity anymore. Not a single manager in charge of these national teams has the credentials nor pedigree required for their respective jobs which demand professionalism and responsibility at the highest level. Clearly, the whole national team setup has lost its plot and is descending into a managerial abyss.
Hence, we are not going to stand here and watch our beloved national team deteriorate this way anymore. The situation is becoming serious and demands serious action. The national team is ours, not yours, and we will not allow you to bring anymore shame onto this team. You have tarnished it long enough, and now it is time for you to go.
Therefore, Mr.Grondona, after your 32 years in charge, we kindly ask you to finally step down from your position as AFA president. You should agree that it is in the best interest of the national team for you to depart and leave the federation in the hands of someone more qualified, proven and capable of leading the Seleccion back to its worthy position among the world’s elite.
So again, both of you, on behalf of millions of fans in Argentina and around the world: If you love Argentina, please quit…