Former Barcelona coach Gerardo 'Tata' Martino has been named the new Argentina coach by the Argentinian Football Association.
Gerardo 'Tata' Martino named new Argentina coach
A statement on the AFA website said Martino, 51, will be formally introduced as Alejandro Sabella's successor at a press conference in Ezieza, Buenos Aires on Thursday.
Sabella's contract expired after the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil, where Argentina were beaten 1-0 by Germany in the Final. It will be Martino's second spell as a national team coach after a lengthy stint as Paraguay boss from 2006 to 2011, highlighted by a run to the quarter-finals South Africa 2010 and an appearance in the 2011 Copa America final.
The Rosario-born coach has a lengthy CV as a club coach in South America, having taken charge of eight clubs, but he is best known internationally for his time at Barcelona, even though he failed to deliver the sort of success his immediate predecessors had made routine.
Martino left Barça after the final day of last season, when they were beaten to the title by Atletico Madrid after a 1-1 draw beaten the two sides at the Nou Camp. The Spanish Super Cup was his only trophy in a single season with the club.
Martino has received the public backing of 'Albiceleste' veteran Maxi Rodríguez, who has described him as "the right man" to manage Argentina.
"I always said that if Alejandro [Sabella] was not going to continue, which he deserved to, in my opinion Martino is the right man for Argentina", the Newell's Old Boys striker told El Mundo radio station on Tuesday.
Rodríguez, who represented his country at three World Cups, played under Martino for Newell's. "He is a very hard worker. He's crazy about football and he knows exactly what he wants", remarked the striker.
"The national team needs to follow a single idea. We've laid a solid foundation for what's to come, but we have to think about the Copa América [Chile, 2015] in the short term. 'Tata' is the perfect fit for Argentina. He is a good man. We need another coach who will continue with the same plan and who fits in with what the squad needs", he assured.
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