Former Barcelona coach Gerardo Martino appointed Argentina manager

Former Barcelona coach Gerardo Martino has been confirmed as the new manager of Argentina.

The 51-year-old replaces Alejandro Sabella, who led the South Americans to the World Cup final this summer before stepping down after three years in charge.

Martino left the Camp Nou at the end of last season, which was the first since 2007-08 in which the Catalan giants failed to win a trophy, but has always been the AFA's first choice to fill their vacancy.

The Argentine native won one cap for his country as a player and has previous international management experience with Paraguay, who reached the 2010 World Cup quarter-finals under his guidance.

He won 40 of his 59 games as Barca coach as they finished second to Atletico Madrid in La Liga, were knocked out at the last-eight stage of the Champions League and lost in the Copa del Rey final last term.