BUENOS AIRES, April 13 -- Former Argentina boss Sergio Batista believes current Albiceleste manager Lionel Scaloni should remain in his job at least until the 2022 World Cup, regardless of results at next year's Copa America.

The two-time World Cup winners have had seven managers in the past decade, and Batista said now is the time for continuity.

"Hopefully his cycle will be until Qatar in 2022 and that he can continue with this group of players no matter what happens in the Copa America," Batista told Argentinian radio station Club Octubre on Monday.

Scaloni replaced Jorge Sampaoli as Argentina's head coach after the team's erratic performances at the 2018 World Cup in Russia, where they were eliminated in the last 16 by eventual champions France.

After an inauspicious start to his term, Scaloni led the Albiceleste to a creditable third place at the 2019 Copa America in Brazil.

Batista said he harbors no ill feeling for losing his job as Argentina's head coach after their quarterfinal elimination from the 2011 Copa America on home soil.

"I knew that if we didn't win the Copa America in 2011, I had to go," said Batista, a former midfielder who was a part of the Argentina team that won the 1986 World Cup in Mexico. "You know that when you lose in Argentina you have to move on."

The 57-year-old had special praise for current Albiceleste captain Lionel Messi, whom he compared with his former national team colleague, Diego Maradona.

【体坛英语资讯：Batista backs Scaloni to lead Argentina to 2022 World Cup】相关文章：

★ 体坛英语资讯：Brazil wins right to host 2014 World Cup

★ 体坛英语资讯：Preview: Germany upbeat, Croatia confident of Euro 2008 clash

★ 娱乐英语资讯：Malawin court delays Madonna adoption case hearing

★ 体坛英语资讯：Davydenko not worried about betting probe

★ 体坛英语资讯：Landis takes his doping case to CAS

★ 娱乐英语资讯：Lindsay Lohans Ronson ring

★ 体坛英语资讯：No Yao? No problem for Rockets

★ 体坛英语资讯：Federer back on track, Roddick into semis

★ 体坛英语资讯：Hosts hopes up in the air at World Cup

★ 娱乐英语资讯：Dutch broadcasters unwilling to air controversial Koran film