Boca unveil new manager

Julio Falcioni has pledged to return Boca Juniors to ‘the place they deserve’ upon being officially unveiled as the club’s new manager.

Falcioni replaces Claudio Borghi at the helm of the Argentinian Primera Division club after the latter resigned following Boca’s 1-0 loss to bitter rivals River Plate on November 17.

A giant of South American football, Boca have been Argentina champions 23 times, won the Copa Libertadores on six occasions and taken out the Copa Sudamericana twice.

But the Buenos Aires club has not won domestic honours since 2008, and finished a lowly 11th in the 2010/11 Apertura.

Falcioni joins after leaving league rivals Atletico Banfield, who he led to the 2009 Apertura title.

The 55-year-old is immediately seeking the support of his new players in returning the club to the top.

“With the help of the players, we will try to put Boca in the place they deserve,” Falcioni told reporters at a news conference on Wednesday.

“The commitment and the work of the players beyond just their technical capabilities is what is going to put Boca in the place it deserves.

“We will try to collaborate, we will try to help, we will try to put them right physically, we will try to correct all the situations that are presented. But the fundamental thing is that the players are well. If they are well, we will obtain the results.”

“For us, it is going to be an honour and a pleasure to be able to share these days of work. It is certain that we are going to obtain commitment, responsibility and work from them (the players) so that Boca takes the place it deserves.”

Speculation had linked favourite son Diego Maradona to the vacant job before Falcioni’s appointment, with the former Argentina labelling his snubbing as a ‘betrayal’.

Club president Jorge Amor Ameal was not drawn on the decision to overlook Maradona, instead speaking of his delight at landing Falcioni.

“We are very happy about Julio’s arrival,” he said.

“This was a long-term wish for the club and today we can achieve it. We wish Julio the best, the best of successes.”