Former striker Valdes named interim Panama coach

PANAMA CITY -- Former Paris Saint-Germain striker Dely Valdes has been named interim coach of Panama's national team, the Panama Football Federation (FFP) said on Monday.

The 51-year-old replaces Englishman Gary Stempel, who also filled the role on a caretaker basis following the departure of Colombian Hernan Dario Gomez after last year's World Cup in Russia.

"Julio Cesar Dely Valdes has been appointed interim technical director of Panama for the FIFA friendly matches at the end of March," the FFP said in a statement.

The FFP added that Panama's opponents and the venues for the friendlies would be announced in the coming days. According to local media, one of the matches will be against Brazil in Portugal.

Valdes, who was capped 44 times for Panama from 1991 to 2005, also coached the national team from 2010 to 2013.