Football
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Argentina hire Tata Martino as coach

Former Barcelona coach Gerardo Martino has been named the new Argentina boss by the Argentinian Football Association.

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 World Cup in 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 quarterfinals of the 2010 World Cup 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 Barca 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.

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