Gerardo ‘Tata’ Martino has agreed with the AFA to take over as new coach of the national team, following Alejandro Sabella. There are still some financial details to be finalised but the footballing project has been agreed during discussions over the weekend and Martino is expected to officially announced on Monday.

Former Barcelona coach, Martino has been in talks with AFA officials over the past couple of days after it was revealed that he was the choice of the now-deceased Julio Grondona.

From the available candidates, Martino is probably the pick of the bunch and his close relationship with Lionel Messi certainly stands in his favour. His disappointing spell in charge of Barcelona should not count against him too much given the fine work that he accomplished with Newell’s Old Boys and also on an international stage, with Paraguay.

It is understood that the AFA and Martino still need to agree on the financial package but this is expected to be a formality and Tata will be officially announced as the new Argentine DT on Monday.

Although an appointment was desired quickly as Argentina face Germany in Dusseldorf on September 3rd, it is thought that the squad will be the same as those that were taken to Brazil so regardless of the appointment this will not change.

Martino’s job will begin after this when he must immediately start preparing for the Copa América 2015 in Chile with an eye on the World Cup in Russia in 2018.

Frankly, with Diego Simeone ruling himself out and the likes of José Péckerman and Jorge Sampaoli already in international employment with Colombia and Chile, Tata Martino represents the best, available option to the AFA.