JORGE SAMPAOLI HAS been confirmed as the new Argentina coach after agreeing to part ways with Sevilla.
The Casilda native has been linked with the job for months, and speculation only heightened when Edgardo Bauza was relieved of his duties in April after less than a year in charge.
On the eve of his announcement, however, there were reports that the deal could fall through due to last-minute financial differences between the two parties.
Nevertheless, on Thursday, the first day he was officially allowed to discuss terms with his home nation, the Argentine Football Association has confirmed he will be taking the job with immediate effect.
Sampaoli, who was linked with the Barcelona job earlier this season, will now be presented in his new role in a press conference scheduled later on Thursday at the AFA training facilities in Ezeiza, Buenos Aires.
The coach, 57, received his first taste of international football with Chile, whom he led to the 2014 World Cup before sealing their first-ever major title the following year with victory in the Copa America.
He subsequently succeeded Unai Emery in Andalucia, taking Sevilla to fourth place in his first and only season at the club as well as a last-16 appearance in the Champions League.
His first challenge as Albiceleste boss will come with a baptism of fire on 9 June, when he takes on eternal rivals Brazil in a friendly to be played in Australia.
A clash against Singapore follows for Argentina, while his debut in competitive football looms in August when the nation travel to Uruguay for a World Cup qualifier.
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