Ischia agrees to step down at Boca Juniors

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (AP) -- Carlos Ischia will resign as coach of Boca Juniors when the season ends next month following the team's humiliating loss to Uruguay's Defensor Sporting in the Copa Libertadores.

Boca said in a statement on its Web site that Ischia had agreed to go.

Club manager Carlos Bianchi is seen as a possible successor to Ischia, who took over at the end of 2007 on a contract that expires in December. However, Bianchi's contract apparently states he will not succeed Ischia.

"The expectation is that Carlos will take over, but I don't think it's likely," said club official Marcelo London in an interview with Argentine TyC television. "We'll ask him again if he'll step in."

Bianchi has not spoken publicly about Ischia's resignation, or the possibility he might take the job.

Other names being mentioned include former Argentina national coach Alfio Basile, Gustavo Alfaro and ex-Boca player Jose Basualdo, Blas Giunta, Jorge Bermudez and Diego Cagna.

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