South America

Alejandro Sabella Appointed New Estudiantes Boss

Alejandro Sabella replaced Leonardo Astrada as the new coach of Estudiantes de La Plata.

Mar 16, 2009 9:07:04 PM

Juan Sebastian Veron - Leonardo Astrada - Estudiantes de La Plata

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Juan Sebastian Veron - Leonardo Astrada - Estudiantes de La Plata

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Last week Leonardo Astrada resigned as the coach of Estudiantes after a horrible start to the Argentine Clausura Championship and the Copa Libertadores.

He was replaced by Alejandro Sabella, a coach who will be expected to turn around the club's fortunes immediately. Sabella's assistants will be Julian Camino and Claudio Gugnali.

Although Ramon Cabrera was the main candidate to occupy the vacancy, Estudiantes decided that Sabella would be a more appropriate choice. Other possible alternatives included Fernando Gamboa and Nery Pumpido.

Sabella, formerly of River Plate, Sheffield United, Leeds United, and Gremio, was the assistant coach of the Argentine national team when under Daniel Passarella.

He made contact with Estudiantes representatives within hours of Astrada's departure, and that gave him an instant advantage over the other candidates.

His official Estudiantes debut will be on the 19th of March when they face Deportivo Quito for the Copa Libertadores at the Cuidad de La Plata stadium.

As a player Sabella played for Estudiantes between 1982 and 1985 and then again in 1987. He won two national championships with the club.

Gregory Sica, Goal.com