Gerardo Martino was named coach of Argentina on Tuesday replacing Alejandro Sabella who stood down after they lost 1-0 to Germany in July's World Cup final.

Martino, 51, gets the job despite a trophyless season with Spanish giants Barcelona which resulted in him being sacked.

"The coach Gerardo Daniel Martino will on Thursday take up his functions as technical director of the national side," read a statement on the Argentinian Football Association (AFA) website.

"He replaces Alejandro Sabella whose contract with the AFA ended after the World Cup in Brazil."

Martino's first target will be next year's Copa America in Chile.