Ischia says he was fired, did not resign

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (AP) -Boca Juniors coach Carlos Ischia made it very clear Friday - he was fired by the club and did not resign, as officials of Argentina's most popular club had said.

Boca was embarrassed at home last week in a 1-0 loss to Uruguay's Defensor Sporting, which advanced 3-2 on aggregate to the quarterfinals of the Copa Libertadores. It was the first time in six years that Boca - six-time winners of Latin America's most prestigious club tournament - was ousted from the Copa at the Bombonera.

"For me, it was a firing,'' Ischia told a news conference. "A person who resigns does not continue working.

"This departure was not by agreement,'' added Ischia, who has a contract with the club until December.

Ischia said he will coach the team for the remaining three matches of the season, apparently fulfilling contractual obligations.

His statements conflict with Boca president Jorge Ameal, who said last weekend that Ischia had resigned. A few days later, the club issued a statement saying the club's board had accepted his resignation.

Club manager Carlos Bianchi is seen as a possible successor to Ischia, who took over at the end of 2007. However, Bianchi's contract apparently states he will not succeed Ischia as the pair are close friends.