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Big shoes to fill Ardiles replaces Merlo at Argentina's Racing ClubPosted: Friday July 26, 2002 3:09 AMBUENOS AIRES (AP) -- Former World Cup winner Osvaldo Ardiles was Thursday named as the new coach of Argentina team, Racing Club. Argentine hero Ardiles replaces Reinaldo Merlo, who unexpectedly quit Wednesday, just two days before the start of the new season. Merlo's 18 month spell at the club saw him lead Racing to its first league title in 35 years. Announcing the appointment Thursday, Racing Club owner Fernando Marin said Ardiles was the right man for the job. "Racing gains a great professional, very prepared for the job, capable of carrying this team to the top in the national and international sphere," he told reporters. Ardiles was a skillful midfielder, who was part of the Argentine side that won its first World Cup in 1978. He later went on to play in England, where he starred for London side Tottenham Hotspur. Ardiles went on to coach several English teams before taking a job in Saudi Arabia. Ardiles' first test will come Sunday when Racing take on Huracan. However the crunch moment will come next year, when the club competes in South America's top club competition -- the Copa Libertadores -- for the first time in five years. Making the announcement late Thursday, Marin also took the chance to give his version of the events surrounding Merlo's departure. The former coach made it clear Wednesday, he resigned in protest at Marin's refusal to bring in new players to replace the several first-team regulars that were sold over the off-season. Marin said he was very saddened by Merlo's departure, but defended himself from the ex-coach's charges. "We brought in 14 new players. It is not our style that coaches start complaining to the press," Marin said.
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