When Alejandro Sabella was handed the task of reviving Argentina's fortunes after a poor campaign at the 2011 Copa America, not everyone in his homeland was convinced he was the right man.

"I don't know why they chose him," said the country's legendary 1978 World Cup-winning coach Cesar Menotti. "I don't know what his project is."

Three years later, and Sabella's appointment is starting to look like a stroke of genius by his bosses at the Argentina FA.

Under Sabella -- nicknamed El Mago ("the magician") during his playing days -- Argentina have developed into a formidable side that is again punching its weight. They start in Group F at the finals against Bosnia-Hercegovina, Iran and Nigeria.

They romped through South America's qualifying competition with ease, finishing on top of the standings and racking up 35 goals in 16 games.

They clinched their spot in Brazil with an emphatic 5-2 away victory over Paraguay, a result that highlighted the sharp transformation in fortunes under Sabella's guidance.

The 59-year-old former Estudiantes manager began his reign by swiftly installing Barcelona star Lionel Messi as captain.

Unlike some of his predecessors Sabella has not hesitated to talior his team in order to make the most of the four-time World Player of the Year's talents.

"We need to make him feel comfortable and think about what's best for the team," Sabella has said. "And what's best for the team is, first and foremost, to make him feel comfortable."

The results have been spectacular, with Messi for the first time consistently producing his sparkling Barcelona form in Argentina's famous colours, operating just behind Sergio Aguero and Gonzalo Higuain.

Sabella's rise to the top job in Argentinian football was a long time in the making.

As a player he had a nomadic career, starting with River Plate between 1974 and 1978 before a somewhat unlikely transfer took him to English side Sheffield United.

Sheffield United's manager Harry Haslam had originally hoped to sign Diego Maradona, but plumped for Sabella after deeming Maradona too expensive.

Two seasons with the Sheffield club were followed by a largely undistinguished spell at Leeds United before he returned to Argentina and a five-year stint at Estudiantes. His playing career ended after a brief spell with Mexican side Irapuato in 1989, before he moved into coaching.

He worked as an assistant to Daniel Passarella for several years, part of the Argentina coaching staff at the 1998 World Cup, and later joined Passarella when the 1978 World Cup-winning captain was appointed Uruguay coach.

However it was not until Sabella was appointed Estudiantes manager in early 2009 that his coaching career took off.

Within months he had guided them to the Copa Libertadores title, and followed up that success by taking the 2010 Apertura championship -- effectively making him a shoo-in for the Argentina job in 2011.