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Former Argentina manager Alejandro Sabella dies aged 66

Former Argentina head coach Alejandro Sabella has died at the age of 66.  The man who guided his...
Richie McCormack
Richie McCormack

20.41 8 Dec 2020


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Former Argentina manager Aleja...

Former Argentina manager Alejandro Sabella dies aged 66

Richie McCormack
Richie McCormack

20.41 8 Dec 2020


Share this article


Former Argentina head coach Alejandro Sabella has died at the age of 66. 

The man who guided his country to the final of the 2014 World Cup in Brazil had been in hospital since November.

Sabella enjoyed a distinguished playing career before turning his hand to management.

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He played more than 100 games for River Plate, before a move to Sheffield United in 1978.

Famously, the English club had failed in an attempt to buy a young Diego Maradona from Argentinos Junios, and instead pivoted towards the cheaper midfielder.

The two remain intrinsically linked, with Sabella's death coming barely a fortnight after that of Maradona.

He went on to have a short spell at Leeds United before moves to Gremio and Estudiantes de la Plata among others.

Sabella worked alongside 1978 World Cup-winning captain Daniel Passarella with the national side as well as Parma, Uruguay and Corinthians.

He succeeded Sergio Batista as Argentina head coach in 2011, and installed Lionel Messi as captain.

Sabella wrung the best World Cup performance out of Argentina since 1990 when he led the side at the finals in Brazil.

They never trailed any side until the final, beating Switzerland, Belgium and the Netherlands en route to their eventual defeat to Germany.

He stepped down after that defeat to Die Mannschaft.

The Argentine FA say Sabella will be buried in the Campanario Cemetery in Buenos Aires on Thursday.

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