Argentina's caretaker manager Sergio Batista has set his sights on victory in tomorrow night's friendly with the Republic of Ireland in a bid to put the South Americans' FIFA World Cup exit behind them.

And he also hopes that a win will help secure him the role on a permanent basis.

Batista has stepped into the shoes of Diego Maradona after the Argentinian Football Association (AFA) chose not to renew his contract in the wake of the 4-0 World Cup quarter-final defeat by Germany.

However, despite leading Argentina to the gold medal in the 2008 Olympics, Batista is viewed as an outsider for the position. Carlos Bianchi, the only manager to win four Copa Libertadores titles, is favourite, although the 61-year-old has turned down an approach to manage the national team on three previous occasions.

But as the man in the hot seat, Batista at least has a chance to stake his claim, starting with the game against the Republic at their new £350m Aviva Stadium. "I'd prefer it if I was judged not on one game but a whole project, which might stretch from now to 2014," said Batista, referring to the FIFA World Cup in Brazil that year.

I'd prefer it if I was judged not on one game but a whole project, which might stretch from now to 2014.
Sergio Batista, Argentina caretaker manager

"I'd also like to be judged on what I've achieved in the national set-up on a whole to now. But the job is something I'd like to look at over a long period of time and not on just this one game against Ireland."

Batista's first task will be to work on the psychology of players following their early exit at South Africa 2010. "What I'm happy about is that everybody has come here with great desire," added the 1986 FIFA World Cup winner. "The players are still smarting from the defeat to Germany - that really hurt. But then you are not a real footballer if something like that does not still hurt you after a few weeks and months.

"So this is a real opportunity to get that day out of our system," he added. "It was one game after all, and you can't put to one side what the team had achieved before that. We played some great football up to that point. So what I think is going to happen is that tomorrow will be a real show, with both sides trying to play football. The fans are going to be in for a real treat."

Manchester City star Carlos Tevez is with the squad, but unlikely to play due to a sore throat, whilst Atletico Madrid forward Sergio Aguero is also a doubt as he is carrying a slight knock. Despite that, Batista has no complaints about the application of his players, although he already knows many of them from working with them at age-group level and at the Olympics.

"I'm really pleased to say that up to now as a manager they have made it really easy for me," said Batista. "I've been having lots of little chats with individuals and small groups of players and I am trying to emphasise that this is a new start. It's up to me now to convince them they are still a good side. The good thing is they have all come here ready to do what they have always done for the shirt - which is try hard and play well."