Coach Basile quits after loss to Chile

BUENOS AIRES: 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 galvanize a team that boasts some of the world's most talented players, including Lionel Messi and Sergio Aguero.

"Basile spoke to the AFA president (Julio Grondona) and quit for personal reasons," spokesman Ernesto Cherquis said.