Sabella quits as Argentina coach

Alejandro Sabella, who steered Argentina to the World Cup final, has quit as national team coach with Gerardo Martino or Jose Pekerman in line to succeed him, Argentine media reported on Tuesday.

The reports said Sabella, whose side lost 1-0 to Germany in the final at Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro, had told Argentine Football Association president Julio Grondona of his decision not to stay on.

With Sabella stepping aside, the AFA will have to move quickly to name a successor with Argentina beginning preparations for its next major tournament, the 2015 Copa America in Chile, with a friendly against Germany in Duesseldorf on Sept 3.