{{Short description|Argentine football player and manager}} {{Use dmy dates|date=September 2021}} {{Infobox football biography | name = Fernando Batista | image = Fernando-Batista-Argentinos-Juniors.jpg | caption = Batista as a player of [[Argentinos Juniors]] in 1989 | fullname = Fernando Ariel Batista | birth_date = {{birth date and age|1970|8|20|df=yes}} | birth_place = [[Buenos Aires]], Argentina | height = | position = [[Defender (association football)|Defender]] | currentclub = [[Costa Rica national football team|Costa Rica]] (manager) | youthyears1 = | youthclubs1 = [[Argentinos Juniors]] | years1 = 1989–1993 | clubs1 = [[Argentinos Juniors]] | caps1 = 134 | goals1 = 4 | years2 = 1993–1995 | clubs2 = [[San Lorenzo de Almagro|San Lorenzo]] | caps2 = 36 | goals2 = 0 | years3 = 1997–1998 | clubs3 = [[Godoy Cruz Antonio Tomba|Godoy Cruz]] | caps3 = 23 | goals3 = 1 | years4 = 1998–2001 | clubs4 = [[All Boys]] | caps4 = 59 | goals4 = 3 | nationalyears1 = 1989 | nationalteam1 = [[Argentina national under-20 football team|Argentina U20]] | nationalcaps1 = | nationalgoals1 = | manageryears1 = 2004–2007 | managerclubs1 = [[San Lorenzo de Almagro|San Lorenzo]] (youth) | manageryears2 = 2008–2016 | managerclubs2 = [[Argentinos Juniors]] (youth) | manageryears3 = 2017 | managerclubs3 = [[Argentina national under-20 football team|Argentina U20]] (assistant) | manageryears4 = 2018 | managerclubs4 = Armenia U18 | manageryears5 = 2018 | managerclubs5 = [[Armenia national under-19 football team|Armenia U19]] | manageryears6 = 2019–2021 | managerclubs6 = [[Argentina national under-20 football team|Argentina U20]] | manageryears7 = 2019–2021 | managerclubs7 = [[Argentina national under-23 football team|Argentina U23]] | manageryears8 = 2022–2023 | managerclubs8 = [[Venezuela national under-23 football team|Venezuela U23]] | manageryears9 = 2023–2025 | managerclubs9 = [[Venezuela national football team|Venezuela]] | manageryears10 = 2026– | managerclubs10 = [[Costa Rica national football team|Costa Rica]] }}
'''Fernando Ariel Batista''' (born 20 August 1970) is an Argentine [[Association football|football]] manager and former player who played as a [[Defender (association football)|defender]].
==Playing career== Born in [[Buenos Aires]], Batista started his playing career with Argentine top flight side [[Argentinos Juniors]], where he made 134 league appearances and scored four goals.<ref name="fa">{{BDFA|2209}}</ref> He moved to [[San Lorenzo de Almagro|San Lorenzo]] in 1993, playing for two seasons at the club.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://estadisticascasla.com/jugador/fernando-batista/|title=Fernando Batista|publisher=Estadísticas CASLA|language=es|accessdate=23 July 2024}}</ref>
In 1997, Batista signed for [[Godoy Cruz Antonio Tomba|Godoy Cruz]] in the Argentine second division.<ref name="fa"/> He joined [[All Boys]] in the following year, playing for three seasons before retiring in 2001, aged 30.
==International career== Batista represented [[Argentina national football team|Argentina]] at [[Argentina national under-20 football team|under-20]] level at the [[1989 FIFA World Youth Championship]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.lanacion.com.ar/deportes/futbol/fernando-batista-futbol-sangre-ilusion-del-sub-nid2249938/|title=Fernando Batista, con el fútbol en la sangre y la ilusión del Sub 20: "Somos entrenadores, psicólogos y padres"|trans-title=Fernando Batista, with football in his blood and the hopes of the under-20s: "We are manager, psychologists and fathers"|publisher=[[La Nación]]|language=es|date=21 May 2019}}</ref>
==Managerial career== ===Early career=== Batista began his coaching career with the youth sides of San Lorenzo, joining the club in 2004. He returned to Argentinos Juniors in 2008, being a youth coach and coordinator until 2016.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://es.coachesvoice.com/cv/fernando-batista-venezuela-vision-de-futuro/|title=Dejar algo para el futuro|trans-title=Leave something for the future|publisher=The Coaches' Voice|language=es|accessdate=23 July 2024}}</ref>
In 2017, Batista was a part of [[Claudio Úbeda]]'s staff at the [[Argentina national under-20 football team|Argentina national under-20 team]], being his assistant in the [[2017 South American U-20 Championship]] and the [[2017 FIFA U-20 World Cup]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.conmebol.com/pt-br/noticias-pt-br/ubeda-convocou-31-jogadores-em-seu-primeiro-chamado-como-tecnico-da-selecao-argentina-sub-20/|title=Úbeda convocou 31 jogadores em seu primeiro chamado como técnico da seleção Argentina Sub-20|trans-title=Úbeda called up 31 players in his first list as manager of the Argentina national under-20 team|publisher=[[CONMEBOL]]|language=pt-BR|date=21 October 2016|accessdate=23 July 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://uy.radiocut.fm/audiocut/la-zurda-magica-entrevista-a-fernando-batista-ayudante-de-ubeda-en-la-sub-20/|title=La Zurda Magica - Entrevista a Fernando Batista, ayudante de Úbeda en la Sub-20|trans-title=La Zurda Magica - Interview to Fernando Batista, Úbeda's assistant in the under-20s|publisher=Radio Cut|work=Radio Sur|language=es|date=12 June 2017|accessdate=23 July 2024}}</ref> In January 2018, he was appointed manager of the [[Armenia national under-19 football team|Armenia national under-19 team]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.diarioarmenia.org.ar/fernando-batista-armenia-va-a-ser-un-desafio-importante/|title=Fernando Batista: "Armenia va a ser un desafío importante"|trans-title=Fernando Batista: "Armenia will be an important challenge"|publisher=Diario Armenia|language=es|date=22 January 2018}}</ref>
On 20 December 2018, Batista returned to Argentina's under-20 side, being appointed manager in the place of [[Lionel Scaloni]] who had just been promoted to the full side.<ref name=IB>{{cite web|url=https://www.infobae.com/deportes-2/2018/12/20/fernando-batista-nuevo-director-tecnico-de-la-seleccion-sub-20-estos-chicos-pueden-ser-el-recambio-de-la-mayor/|title=Fernando Batista, nuevo director técnico de la Selección Sub 20: "Estos chicos pueden ser el recambio de la Mayor"|trans-title=Fernando Batista, new manager of the national under-20 team: "These kids can be the replacement of the full side"|publisher=[[Infobae]]|language=es|date=20 December 2018|accessdate=23 July 2024}}</ref> He finished second in the [[2019 South American U-20 Championship]],<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.lanacion.com.ar/deportes/fernando-batista-dt-llego-al-sub-20-nid2218397/|title=Fernando Batista, el DT que llegó al Sub 20 de apuro y consiguió la rápida clasificación al Mundial|trans-title=Fernando Batista, the manager who arrived at the under-20s in a hurry and achieved a quick qualification to the World Cup|publisher=[[La Nación]]|language=es|date=8 February 2019|accessdate=23 July 2024}}</ref> qualifying the nation to the [[2019 FIFA U-20 World Cup]], where they were knocked out by [[Mali national under-20 football team|Mali]] in the round of 16.
Batista was also in charge of the [[Argentina national under-23 football team|under-23 team]] in the [[Football at the 2020 Summer Olympics – Men's tournament|2020 Summer Olympics]],<ref name="fifa">{{Cite web|url=https://www.fifa.com/tournaments/mens/mensolympic/tokyo2020/news/fernando-batista-interview-argentina-olympics|title=Batista: Argentina are dreaming of gold|publisher=[[FIFA.com]]}}</ref> with Argentina being knocked out in the group stage. He departed his role as under-20 and under-23 manager on 30 November 2021.<ref name=TNT>{{cite web|url=https://tntsports.com.ar/ligaprofesional/El-Bocha-Batista-se-despidio-de-la-Seleccion-Argentina-Voy-por-nuevos-desafios-junto-a-un-referente-para-mi-como-lo-es-Jose-Pekerman-20211130-0014.html|title=El Bocha Batista se despidió de la Selección Argentina: "Voy por nuevos desafíos junto a un referente para mi como lo es José Pekerman"|trans-title=El Bocha Batista bids farewell from the Argentina national team: "I move to new challenges with a reference for me like José Pekerman"|publisher=[[TNT Sports (Argentine TV channel)|TNT Sports]]|language=es|date=30 November 2021|accessdate=23 July 2024}}</ref>
===Venezuela national team=== After departing the Argentina youth sides, Batista joined [[José Pékerman]]'s staff at the [[Venezuela national football team|Venezuela national team]];<ref name=TNT/> an assistant of the full side, he was also named manager of [[Venezuela national under-23 football team|the under-23 squad]]. He led the side to the final of the [[2022 Maurice Revello Tournament]],<ref>{{cite web|url=https://purovinotinto.com/vinotinto-sub-21-paso-a-la-final-del-maurice-revello/|title=Vinotinto Sub-23 pasó a la final del Maurice Revello|trans-title=''Vinotinto'' under-23s went to the final of the Maurice Revello|publisher=Puro Vinotinto|language=es|date=9 June 2022|accessdate=23 July 2024}}</ref> losing to hosts [[France national under-23 football team|France]].
On 10 March 2023, Batista was appointed manager of the Venezuela national team, replacing Pékerman.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com.co/futbol/mundial/nota/_/id/11736385/fernando-batista-nuevo-seleccionador-venezuela|title=Fernando Batista es el nuevo seleccionador de Venezuela|trans-title=Fernando Batista is the new coach of Venezuela|publisher=[[ESPN]]|language=es|date=10 March 2023|accessdate=23 July 2024}}</ref> His first match in charge of the side occurred on 15 June, a 1–0 [[Exhibition match|friendly]] win over [[Honduras national football team|Honduras]], and he ended the year with only one loss in eight official matches, notably leaving the side in the fourth position of the [[2026 FIFA World Cup qualification (CONMEBOL)|2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ole.com.ar/copa-america/venezuela-mexico-copa-america-bocha-batista-tecnico-vinotinto_0_JmYweKCVBe.html|title=El Bocha Batista hace historia en Venezuela: sus grandes números|trans-title=El Bocha Batista makes history in Venezuela: his great numbers|publisher=[[Olé (sports newspaper)|Olé]]|language=es|date=27 June 2024|accessdate=23 July 2024}}</ref>
Batista led the ''Vinotinto'' to a perfect group stage in the [[2024 Copa América]], winning all three matches against [[Ecuador national football team|Ecuador]], [[Mexico national football team|Mexico]] and [[Jamaica national football team|Jamaica]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.conclusion.com.ar/deportes/venezuela-cerro-una-fase-de-grupos-historica-y-ecuador-jugara-con-argentina/07/2024/|title=Venezuela cerró una fase de grupos histórica y Ecuador jugará con Argentina|trans-title=Venezuela completed a historical group stage and Ecuador will play against Argentina|publisher=Conclusión|language=es|date=1 July 2024|accessdate=23 July 2024}}</ref> However, his side was knocked out by [[Canada men's national soccer team|Canada]] on penalties in the quarterfinals.
After a 6-3 loss to [[Colombia national football team|Colombia]] during the final matchday of the [[2026 FIFA World Cup qualification (CONMEBOL)|World Cup qualifiers]] that eliminated Venezuela, Batista was fired and replaced by [[Oswaldo Vizcarrondo]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://apnews.com/article/batista-ibanez-fired-venezuela-peru-world-cup-86dc39148f45782c1d14c7c3f8ed14bb|title=Venezuela and Peru fire their coaches after failing to qualify for 2026 World Cup|access-date=February 3, 2026|website=apnews.com}}</ref>
==Personal life== Batista's older brother [[Sergio Batista|Sergio]] was also a footballer and a manager.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.diariouno.com.ar/ovacion/futbol/checho-bocha-hermanos-batista-pasos-godoy-cruz-02112019_B1g9QYySN|title=El Checho y el Bocha: los hermanos Batista y sus pasos por Godoy Cruz|trans-title=Checho and Bocha: the Batista brothers and their spells at Godoy Cruz|publisher=Diario Uno|language=es|date=11 February 2019|accessdate=23 July 2024}}</ref> Their father José was an important figure in the history of {{ill|Club Social y Deportivo Parque|lt=Club Parque|es}}.<ref name=IB/> His daughter Tatiana got engaged to fellow footballer [[Kevin Mac Allister]], the second son of [[Carlos Mac Allister]], in 2024,<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.clarin.com/deportes/kevin-mac-allister-viaje-increible-intimidad-familia-atravesada-futbol_0_eap5FcgWXO.html|work=[[Clarín (Argentine newspaper)|Clarín]]|title=Kevin Mac Allister y un viaje increíble a la intimidad de una familia atravesada por el fútbol|last=Lanzilotta|first=Nahuel|date=7 June 2024|access-date=1 August 2025|language=es}}</ref> and married on 14 June, 2025.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Rizzo |first1=Marite |title=A wedding with a surprise: Kevin Mac Allister and Tatiana Batista are expecting their first child. |url=https://www.parati.com.ar/news/una-boda-con-sorpresa-kevin-mac-allister-y-tatiana-batista-esperan-su-primer-hijo/ |website=Parati |access-date=13 March 2026 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250713012106/https://www.parati.com.ar/news/una-boda-con-sorpresa-kevin-mac-allister-y-tatiana-batista-esperan-su-primer-hijo/ |archive-date=13 July 2025 |language=Spanish |date=16 June 2025}}</ref>
==Managerial statistics== {{Updated|Match played 1 June 2026}} {| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center" |- !rowspan="2"|Team !rowspan="2"|Nat !rowspan="2"|From !rowspan="2"|To !colspan="5"|Record |- !G!!W!!D!!L!!Win % |- |align=center|[[Armenia U-18|Armenia U18]] | rowspan="2"|{{Flagicon|ARM}} |align=center|1 January 2018 |align=center|31 October 2018 {{WDL|2|0|0|2}} |- |align=center|[[Armenia national under-19 football team|Armenia U19]] |align=center|1 July 2018 |align=center|31 October 2018 {{WDL|5|1|0|4}} |- |align=center|[[Argentina national under-20 football team|Argentina U20]] | rowspan="2"|{{Flagicon|ARG}} |align=center|1 January 2019 |align=center|30 November 2021 {{WDL|22|14|1|7}} |- |align=center|[[Argentina national under-23 football team|Argentina U23]] |align=center|1 August 2019 |align=center|8 August 2021 {{WDL|18|12|4|2}} |- |align=center|[[Venezuela national football team|Venezuela]] |{{Flagicon|VEN}} |align=center|10 March 2023 |align=center|10 September 2025 {{WDL|29|10|9|10}} |- |align=center|[[Costa Rica national football team|Costa Rica]] |{{Flagicon|CRC}} |align=center|26 February 2026 |align=center|Present {{WDL|3|0|1|2}} |-align=center !colspan="4"|Total {{WDLtot|78|37|15|26}} |}
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== * {{NFT coach|90501}} * {{WorldFootball.net|fernando-batista}}
{{Current managers of CONCACAF national teams}} {{Navboxes | title = Managerial positions | list = {{Argentina national under-20 football team managers}} {{Venezuela national football team managers}} {{Costa Rica national football team managers}} }} {{Venezuela squad 2024 Copa América}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Batista, Fernando}} [[Category:1970 births]] [[Category:Living people]] [[Category:Footballers from Buenos Aires]] [[Category:Argentine men's footballers]] [[Category:Men's association football defenders]] [[Category:Argentinos Juniors footballers]] [[Category:San Lorenzo de Almagro footballers]] [[Category:Godoy Cruz Antonio Tomba footballers]] [[Category:All Boys footballers]] [[Category:Argentine Primera División players]] [[Category:Primera Nacional players]] [[Category:Argentine football managers]] [[Category:Argentina national under-20 football team managers]] [[Category:Venezuela national football team managers]] [[Category:Costa Rica national football team managers]] [[Category:Argentine expatriate football managers]] [[Category:Argentine expatriate sportspeople in Armenia]] [[Category:Argentine expatriate sportspeople in Venezuela]] [[Category:Expatriate football managers in Armenia]] [[Category:Expatriate football managers in Venezuela]] [[Category:2024 Copa América managers]] [[Category:Mac Allister family]]