Alejandro Sabella
Encyclopedia
Alejandro Sabella is an Argentine
football manager
and former player. He is currently the coach of the Argentina national football team
.
in the early 1970s, when his position of attacking midfielder was covered by Norberto Alonso
. His style reflected Alonso's, with emphasis on individual technique and short passes. His slow pace gained him the nickname of Pachorra (lunfardo
Spanish for "slowcoach"). In 1975, River Plate won their first title after a 18-year drought, and Alonso became the fans' undisputed hero. Sabella got his break in 1976, when Alonso was transferred to Olympique Marseille. He played a key role when River won the 1977 Metropolitano championship. Nevertheless, when Alonso returned to River Plate, Sabella was again relegated to the bench.
had tried to sign the teenage Diego Maradona
from Argentinos Juniors
, which did not accept the £400,000 United were offering. Therefore, Sheffield turned to Sabella, and they signed him for £160,000 on July 19, 1978. He made his debut for "the Blades" against Leyton Orient
on 19 August 1978.
Sabella played for United until 1980, scoring 8 league goals in 76 appearances. After relegation to the Third Division
, manager Harry Haslam agreed a fee of £600,000 with Second Division
club Sunderland. However, Sabella had ambitions to play in the First Division
and refused to go. His final appearance for Sheffield United came with a goal in the County Cup (a regional competition between South Yorkshire
teams) Final victory over Sheffield Wednesday on May 8, 1980.
During the close season he was sold to Leeds United for £400,000. He played for Leeds without much success between 1980 and 1981.
. Under coach Carlos Bilardo
, the team reached the semi-finals of the Nacional tournament (Sabella was injured in the first semi-final match against Quilmes
). Subsequently, Sabella, together with Marcelo Trobbiani
, José Daniel Ponce
and Miguel Ángel Russo
, made up the solid midfield of the Estudiantes team that went on to win two back-to-back championship titles.
When Bilardo was put in charge of the Argentina national football team
, Sabella competed for his place with veterans Norberto Alonso
and Ricardo Bochini
, as well as younger players like Carlos Daniel Tapia
, Jorge Burruchaga
and Diego Maradona
. All in all, Sabella played four times for the national team, playing in the 1983 Copa América, but not making the cut for the 1986 FIFA World Cup
.
ian Grêmio
, where he played from 1985 to 1986. He subsequently returned to Estudiantes, but retired after a short spell in the Mexican league with Irapuato in 1989.
. The duo coached the Argentina national team, Italian side Parma AC
, the Uruguay national football team
, Mexican Monterrey
, and Brazilian Corinthians
. In 2006, they were hired back by River Plate, that finished in third place in the Apertura tournament.
On 15 March 2009, Sabella became coach of Estudiantes de La Plata, where he won the 2009 Copa Libertadores. On February 2, 2011 he announced his resignation. Due to protestations from the team's players and management, he agreed to reconsider his decision, but made it final the following day. He officially resigned on 3 February 2011.
After Argentina's early exit at the 2011 Copa America
, Sabella was appointed as the general manager of the Argentine national football team.
Sabella was originally set to be the new coach of UAE League
team Al-Jazira Club but backed out of the agreement after the AFA
has shown interest in him. After his appointment in August 2011, Sabella named Lionel Messi
as Argentina's new captain.
Estudiantes
Argentina
Argentina , officially the Argentine Republic , is the second largest country in South America by land area, after Brazil. It is constituted as a federation of 23 provinces and an autonomous city, Buenos Aires...
football manager
Coach (sport)
In sports, a coach is an individual involved in the direction, instruction and training of the operations of a sports team or of individual sportspeople.-Staff:...
and former player. He is currently the coach of the Argentina national football team
Argentina national football team
The Argentina national football team represents Argentina in association football and is controlled by the Argentine Football Association , the governing body for football in Argentina. Argentina's home stadium is Estadio Monumental Antonio Vespucio Liberti and their head coach is Alejandro...
.
Early career
Sabella rose through the junior divisions of River PlateClub Atlético River Plate
Club Atlético River Plate is an Argentine sports club based in the Nuñez neighborhood of Buenos Aires. It is best known for its professional football team, which currently competes in Nacional B, the second tier of Argentine football....
in the early 1970s, when his position of attacking midfielder was covered by Norberto Alonso
Norberto Alonso
Norberto Osvaldo Alonso , known colloquially as "Beto" Alonso, is a former Argentine football midfielder, who played the majority of his career for the Argentine club River Plate. He remains one of their most iconic players...
. His style reflected Alonso's, with emphasis on individual technique and short passes. His slow pace gained him the nickname of Pachorra (lunfardo
Lunfardo
Lunfardo is a dialect originated and developed in the late 19th and early 20th centuries in the lower classes in Buenos Aires and the surrounding Gran Buenos Aires, and from there spread to other cities nearby, such as Rosario and Montevideo, cities with similar socio-cultural situations...
Spanish for "slowcoach"). In 1975, River Plate won their first title after a 18-year drought, and Alonso became the fans' undisputed hero. Sabella got his break in 1976, when Alonso was transferred to Olympique Marseille. He played a key role when River won the 1977 Metropolitano championship. Nevertheless, when Alonso returned to River Plate, Sabella was again relegated to the bench.
Move to England
English club Sheffield UnitedSheffield United F.C.
Sheffield United Football Club is a professional English football club based in the city of Sheffield, South Yorkshire.They were the first sporting team to use the name 'United' and are nicknamed 'The Blades', thanks to Sheffield's worldwide reputation for steel production...
had tried to sign the teenage Diego Maradona
Diego Maradona
Diego Armando Maradona is a retired Argentine football player and widely regarded as one of the greatest football players of all time. Over the course of his professional club career Maradona played for Argentinos Juniors, Boca Juniors, Barcelona, Napoli, Sevilla and Newell's Old Boys, setting...
from Argentinos Juniors
Argentinos Juniors
Asociación Atlética Argentinos Juniors is an Argentine football club based in La Paternal, Buenos Aires. Founded on August 15, 1904, the club was originally called the “Martyrs of Chicago”, in homage to the eight anarchists imprisoned or hanged after the 1886 Haymarket Riot in Chicago.-Early...
, which did not accept the £400,000 United were offering. Therefore, Sheffield turned to Sabella, and they signed him for £160,000 on July 19, 1978. He made his debut for "the Blades" against Leyton Orient
Leyton Orient F.C.
Leyton Orient F.C. are an English professional football club in East London. They currently play in Football League One and are known to their fans as the O's.Leyton Orient have spent one season in the top flight of English football, in 1962–63...
on 19 August 1978.
Sabella played for United until 1980, scoring 8 league goals in 76 appearances. After relegation to the Third Division
Football League Third Division
The Football League Third Division was the 3 tier of English Football from 1920 until 1992 when after the formation of the Football Association Premier League saw the league renamed The Football League Division Two...
, manager Harry Haslam agreed a fee of £600,000 with Second Division
Football League Second Division
From 1892 until 1992, the Football League Second Division was the second highest division overall in English football.This ended with the creation of the FA Premier League, prior to the start of the 1992–93 season, which caused an administrative split between The Football League and the teams...
club Sunderland. However, Sabella had ambitions to play in the First Division
Football League First Division
The First Division was a division of The Football League between 1888 and 2004 and the highest division in English football until the creation of the Premier League in 1992. The secondary tier in English football has since become known as the Championship....
and refused to go. His final appearance for Sheffield United came with a goal in the County Cup (a regional competition between South Yorkshire
South Yorkshire
South Yorkshire is a metropolitan county in the Yorkshire and the Humber region of England. It has a population of 1.29 million. It consists of four metropolitan boroughs: Barnsley, Doncaster, Rotherham, and City of Sheffield...
teams) Final victory over Sheffield Wednesday on May 8, 1980.
During the close season he was sold to Leeds United for £400,000. He played for Leeds without much success between 1980 and 1981.
Return to Argentina
In December 1981, Sabella started looking for an Argentine club, and was sold to Estudiantes de La PlataEstudiantes de La Plata
Club Estudiantes de La Plata , simply referred to as Estudiantes, is an Argentine professional sports club based in La Plata. The club's football team currently competes in the Primera División, where it has spent most of its history....
. Under coach Carlos Bilardo
Carlos Bilardo
Carlos Salvador Bilardo is an Argentine former football player and coach, who is currently the General Manager of the Argentina national football team....
, the team reached the semi-finals of the Nacional tournament (Sabella was injured in the first semi-final match against Quilmes
Quilmes Atlético Club
Quilmes Atlético Club is a sports clubs of Argentina, based on the Partido de Quilmes, Buenos Aires Province. Quilmes is one of the oldest clubs of Argentina, having been founded in 1887. Its football squad currently plays in the Primera B Nacional Division....
). Subsequently, Sabella, together with Marcelo Trobbiani
Marcelo Trobbiani
Marcelo Antonio Trobbiani Ughetto is an Argentine football coach and a former player, he works as the manager of Cienciano in Peru.-Playing career:...
, José Daniel Ponce
José Daniel Ponce
José Daniel Ponce is a former Argentine football player, who was part of the Estudiantes de La Plata team that won two back-to-back championships in 1982 and 1983....
and Miguel Ángel Russo
Miguel Ángel Russo
Miguel Ángel Russo is an Argentine football coach and former player, who now coaches Estudiantes.-Career:...
, made up the solid midfield of the Estudiantes team that went on to win two back-to-back championship titles.
When Bilardo was put in charge of the Argentina national football team
Argentina national football team
The Argentina national football team represents Argentina in association football and is controlled by the Argentine Football Association , the governing body for football in Argentina. Argentina's home stadium is Estadio Monumental Antonio Vespucio Liberti and their head coach is Alejandro...
, Sabella competed for his place with veterans Norberto Alonso
Norberto Alonso
Norberto Osvaldo Alonso , known colloquially as "Beto" Alonso, is a former Argentine football midfielder, who played the majority of his career for the Argentine club River Plate. He remains one of their most iconic players...
and Ricardo Bochini
Ricardo Bochini
Ricardo Enrique Bochini is an Argentine former professional football player. He is nicknamed El Bocha. Bochini was a childhood idol of Diego Maradona....
, as well as younger players like Carlos Daniel Tapia
Carlos Daniel Tapia
Carlos Daniel Tapia is a retired Argentine footballer.He started playing for River Plate in 1981, when then coach Alfredo Di Stéfano named him for the first team, replacing football legend Norberto Alonso....
, Jorge Burruchaga
Jorge Burruchaga
Jorge Luis Burruchaga is a former Argentine professional football player, and last manager of Arsenal de Sarandí in the Primera División Argentina...
and Diego Maradona
Diego Maradona
Diego Armando Maradona is a retired Argentine football player and widely regarded as one of the greatest football players of all time. Over the course of his professional club career Maradona played for Argentinos Juniors, Boca Juniors, Barcelona, Napoli, Sevilla and Newell's Old Boys, setting...
. All in all, Sabella played four times for the national team, playing in the 1983 Copa América, but not making the cut for the 1986 FIFA World Cup
1986 FIFA World Cup
The 1986 FIFA World Cup, the 13th FIFA World Cup, was held in Mexico from 31 May to 29 June. The tournament was the second to feature a 24-team format. Colombia had been originally chosen to host the competition by FIFA but, largely due to economic reasons, was not able to do so and officially...
.
Later career
The Argentine midfielder then moved to BrazilBrazil
Brazil , officially the Federative Republic of Brazil , is the largest country in South America. It is the world's fifth largest country, both by geographical area and by population with over 192 million people...
ian Grêmio
Grêmio Foot-Ball Porto Alegrense
Grêmio Foot-Ball Porto Alegrense, commonly known as just Grêmio , is a Brazilian professional association football team based in Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul founded by English and German immigrants on September 15, 1903. Major titles captured by Grêmio include one Intercontinental Cup, two Copa...
, where he played from 1985 to 1986. He subsequently returned to Estudiantes, but retired after a short spell in the Mexican league with Irapuato in 1989.
Managerial career
After retirement, Sabella became a coach, but worked mostly as field assistant for Daniel PassarellaDaniel Passarella
Daniel Alberto Passarella is a former Argentine football centre back and former manager of the Argentine and Uruguayan national football teams. He was captain of the Argentina team that won the 1978 World Cup...
. The duo coached the Argentina national team, Italian side Parma AC
Parma F.C.
Parma Football Club , commonly referred to as just Parma, is an Italian professional football club based in Parma, Emilia–Romagna that will compete in Serie A for the 2011–12 season, having finished in twelfth position last season. Founded as Verdi Foot Ball Club in July 1913, the club changed its...
, the Uruguay national football team
Uruguay national football team
The Uruguayan national football team represents Uruguay in international association football and is controlled by the Uruguayan Football Association, the governing body for football in Uruguay. The current head coach is Óscar Tabárez...
, Mexican Monterrey
Club de Fútbol Monterrey
The Club de Fútbol Monterrey is a Mexican football club from Monterrey, Nuevo León, and the current champion of the CONCACAF Champions League. Founded on June 28, 1945, it is the oldest active team in the professional division from the northern part of Mexico....
, and Brazilian Corinthians
Sport Club Corinthians Paulista
Sport Club Corinthians Paulista, commonly just known as Corinthians , is a Brazilian football club based in the city of São Paulo. They play in the São Paulo state league, as well as the Brasileirão, Brazil's top national league...
. In 2006, they were hired back by River Plate, that finished in third place in the Apertura tournament.
On 15 March 2009, Sabella became coach of Estudiantes de La Plata, where he won the 2009 Copa Libertadores. On February 2, 2011 he announced his resignation. Due to protestations from the team's players and management, he agreed to reconsider his decision, but made it final the following day. He officially resigned on 3 February 2011.
After Argentina's early exit at the 2011 Copa America
2011 Copa América
The 2011 Campeonato Sudamericano Copa América, better known as the 2011 Copa América or the Copa América Argentina 2011, was the 43rd edition of the Copa América, the main international football tournament for national teams in South America...
, Sabella was appointed as the general manager of the Argentine national football team.
Sabella was originally set to be the new coach of UAE League
UAE League
The UAE Pro League Committee , commonly known as PLC, is the professional association football league of the United Arab Emirates. Founded in 1973, the league currently holds a number of tournaments for the 12 participating teams, including the Etisalat Pro-League, the Etisalat Cup, Etisalat...
team Al-Jazira Club but backed out of the agreement after the AFA
Argentine Football Association
The Argentine Football Association is the governing body of football in Argentina. It organises the Argentine football league and the Argentina national football team. It is based in Buenos Aires...
has shown interest in him. After his appointment in August 2011, Sabella named Lionel Messi
Lionel Messi
Lionel Andrés "Leo" Messi is an Argentine footballer who plays for FC Barcelona and captains the Argentina national team, mainly as a striker. Messi received several Ballon d'Or and FIFA World Player of the Year nominations by the age of 21, and won in 2009 and 2010...
as Argentina's new captain.
Nicknames
Sabella's nicknames were el Mago (English: "the Magician") and Pachorra ("Sloth"), because of his perceived slowness during play. As Estudiantes manager he would be called "magno" (from Megas Alexandros, the great) because of the great Club World Cup final they took part in. The favorite, star-studded Barcelona, would only manage to beat his squad in overtime, by 2-1.As player
River PlateClub Atlético River Plate
Club Atlético River Plate is an Argentine sports club based in the Nuñez neighborhood of Buenos Aires. It is best known for its professional football team, which currently competes in Nacional B, the second tier of Argentine football....
- Primera DivisiónPrimera División ArgentinaThe Primera División is a professional football league in Argentina. It is the country's premier football division and is at the top of the Argentine football league system. Contested by twenty clubs, it operates on a system of promotion and relegation with the Primera B Nacional. The season runs...
: 1975 Metropolitano, 1975 Nacional, 1977 Metropolitano
Estudiantes
Estudiantes de La Plata
Club Estudiantes de La Plata , simply referred to as Estudiantes, is an Argentine professional sports club based in La Plata. The club's football team currently competes in the Primera División, where it has spent most of its history....
- Primera DivisiónPrimera División ArgentinaThe Primera División is a professional football league in Argentina. It is the country's premier football division and is at the top of the Argentine football league system. Contested by twenty clubs, it operates on a system of promotion and relegation with the Primera B Nacional. The season runs...
: 1982 Nacional, 1983 Nacional
As manager
EstudiantesEstudiantes de La Plata
Club Estudiantes de La Plata , simply referred to as Estudiantes, is an Argentine professional sports club based in La Plata. The club's football team currently competes in the Primera División, where it has spent most of its history....
- Copa Libertadores: 2009
- Argentine Primera División: 2010 Apertura