Martino takes over as Argentina manager
Argentina have appointed Gerardo Martino as their new head coach.
The ex-Barcelona coach succeeds Alejandro Sabella, who declined to renew his contract with the Argentinian Football Association (AFA) despite guiding his nation to their first World Cup final in Brazil last month.
Martino, who joined Barcelona from Argentine club Newell's Old Boys, was sacked by the La Liga giants after they finished last season empty-handed.
While his coaching experience has been mostly limited to Argentine and Paraguayan clubs, the 51-year-old has managed Paraguay, who he guided to the quarter-finals of the 2010 World Cup.
Schooled by former Argentina boss Marcelo Bielsa as a player with Newell's Old Boys, Martino prefers his sides to play a possession game with his midfielders providing support for speedy attackers up front.
Martino will be officially presented by the AFA on Thursday.
Sources: AFP, BBC, Reuters
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