SABELLA RESIGNS AS COACH OF ARGENTINA

Coach of Argentina at the 2014 FIFA World Cup, Alejandro Sabella, has reportedly handed in his resignation to Argentinian Football Association (AFA) president Julio Grondona on the back of the country's runner-up finish at the recent World Cup in Brazil.

Argentina coach Sabella throw-in the towel

Sabella, 59, who had been in charge of the 'Albiceleste' since September 2011, weighed up his options before eventually deciding to pack it in.

Sabella's agent, Eugenio Lopez, said two days before the World Cup final that the coach was unlikely to carry on and Sabella himself said on his return to Buenos Aires that he was unsure if he had the energy to give his best any longer. “You have to fill the energy tank which sometimes gets empty. I have to think if I’m in condition to give 100 percent,” Sabella told reporters two weeks ago.

Sabella takes photograph with young kids in Buenos Aires

His side won their three group matches in Brazil, thanks mainly to four goals from Lionel Messi, and Argentina's progress through the knockout rounds to their first World Cup final in 24 years was marked more by sound tactics and a firm defence.

Coincidentally, the new man's first fixture at the helm will be a friendly rematch against the 'Mannschaft' in Düsseldorf on 3rd September. After that, the team will face clashes against arch-rivals Brazil at the 'Bird's Nest' stadium in Beijing on 11th October and a meeting with Hong Kong three days later.

Based on the resignation of Sabella, it means Argentina find themselves searching for a new manager 16 days after losing to Germany in the big final at the Maracana in Rio de Janeiro.

Names linked to the vacant position include former Barça coach Gerardo 'Tata' Martino; Atlético taskmaster Diego Simeone; Colombia manager José Pekerman, who led the 'Albiceleste' at the 2006 World Cup; Rosario Central chief Miguel Ángel Russo; Estudiantes supremo Mauricio Pellegrino (formerly of Valencia), and ex-River manager Ramón Díaz