La Volpe misses memo over Banfield axe
Reuters - Wednesday 04 January 2012, 23:22
Argentine side
Banfield's players face a dilemma on Thursday when they look to
resume training after ending 2011 caught in a tug-of-war between
two coaches.
Former Mexico and Costa Rica coach Ricardo La Volpe claims
he is still in charge, while the club appointed Uruguayan Jorge
da Silva last month as his successor.
La Volpe, unable to lift the team off the foot of the
standings having been appointed in the middle of the Apertura in
August, was sacked at the end of the championship, first of two
in the Argentine season.
"Tomorrow (Thursday) I'm going to turn up for Banfield's
practice to carry on with my work as their coach since my
contract expires in June 2012," La Volpe told radio La Red on
Wednesday. "No one sent me a dismissal telegram.
"Quite apart from the words of directors telling me they
didn't want me to carry on, I got no official notification,"
added the 59-year-old former Banfield and Argentina goalkeeper.
La Volpe, noted for his controversial remarks and strong
character, added that "if [Da Silva] is aware of my conflict he
shouldn't show up [at practice] on ethical grounds."
He also insisted even if he was denied access to the
practice he had the right to enter the club's premises any time
he wished as a lifetime member of Banfield.
La Volpe, third-choice keeper in Argentina's 1978 World
Cup-winning squad, has done most of his coaching in Mexico where
he ended his playing career.
His coaching stints in Argentina have largely been unhappy
returns home.
His Boca Juniors team squandered a six-point lead in their
last two matches of the 2006 Apertura, finishing equal on points
to Estudiantes and losing the title play-off.