Former Argentina coach Alejandro Sabella dies aged 66

Buenos Aires, December 9: Former Argentina head coach Alejandro Sabella has died at the age of 66.

Sabella, who led his country to the World Cup final in 2014, had been ill in hospital in his homeland.

The Argentina Football Association (AFA) said in a Twitter statement: "The AFA, via president Claudio Tapia, deeply regrets the death of Alejandro Sabella, former coach of Argentina, and sends its warmest hug to his family and loved ones."

A former international midfielder who played for Sheffield United and Leeds United in England, as well as River Plate and Estudiantes, he was best known for his work as a coach towards the end of his career in football.

Sabella led Estudiantes to Copa Libertadores glory in 2009 and the final of the Club World Cup later that year, where they lost to Pep Guardiola's Barcelona.

Comunicado acerca del fallecimiento de Alejandro Sabella ➡️ https://t.co/X9Axdi2ITw pic.twitter.com/5DjeWA38Q6

— AFA (@afa) December 8, 2020

Hugely popular in La Plata, Sabella took over as national team boss from Sergio Batista in 2011.

Appointing Lionel Messi as captain, the Albiceleste reached the final of the World Cup six years ago in Brazil, where they lost 0-1 to Germany thanks to Mario Gotze's extra-time goal. Messi was awarded the Golden Ball as the tournament's best player.

Sabella resigned from his position in July 2014, having suggested he no longer had the energy to fulfil the demands of the role.

Estudiantes described Sabella as "the star that we choose and will wear proudly on our chest", adding: "Thank you for so many teachings and for your legacy."

Radamel Falcao, who knew Sabella from his early career with River, wrote on Twitter: "Unfortunate news of the death of Alejandro Sabella. We worked together at River.

"My condolences to his family, friends, and everyone who had the opportunity to know him."