Argentina coach Alfio Basile quit on Thursday, the day after an embarrassing 2010 World Cup qualifying defeat to Chile, the Argentina Football Association (AFA) said. Basile's sudden decision to end his second stint in the job came after his repeated failure to galvanise a team that boasts some of the world's most talented players, including Lionel Messi and Sergio Aguero.
Argentina were counting the casualties on Sunday after beating neighbours Uruguay 2-1 in an often brutal River Plate derby.
Argentina put behind a dismal first half to beat Algeria 4-3 in a friendly international.
Diego Maradona said on Friday he would like to coach Argentina following the surprise resignation of Alfio Basile the previous day. 'I would be really delighted, who wouldn't, to coach the national team," he said in a telephone interview with the TyC Sports cable channel when asked if he would like a chance. '
Brazil beat old rivals Argentina 3-0 to win the Copa America for the second time in a row.
The 62-year-old former defender, who was also at the helm from 1991 to 1994, replaces Jose Pekerman.
Alfio Basile was appointed coach of Argentina for the second time.
Diego Simeone may not have the stomach to reinvent Atletico Madrid again after they suffered another morale-shattering loss to Real Madrid in Saturday's Champions League final.
Images and a round-up of all the World Cup qualifiers played across continents on Tuesday.
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