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Bielsa to remain Argentina coach
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MARCELO BIELSA will remain Argentina coach for
another for years, signing a new contract with the Argentine
Football Association that will see him in charge of the
national team through the 2006 World Cup in Germany.Bielsa,
47, had been expected to sign the contract last month, but a
disagreement surfaced over when the coach will receive money
AFA owes him from his previous contract, which ended in June
2002 at the end of the World Cup. He took over in February
1999.Bielsa enjoyed a high reputation going into this summer’s
World Cup, with Argentina expected to be one of the strongest
sides after several years of excellent results in qualifiers
and friendly matches.However, Argentina failed to get past the
opening round for the first time in four decades and after the
squad’s early return to Buenos Aires, many called for Bielsa’s
ouster.That seemed set to happen at first, with Jose Pekerman
— the General Coordinator of Argentina’s national teams —
entering discussions with AFA.Pekerman eventually ruled
himself out and after several international stars backed
Bielsa, AFA moved to persuade him to remain as coach.Bielsa’s
monthly salary will be 80,000 pesos (US$22,000), according to
the new contract — a sizable cut on his previous salary.His
next match in charge will be a friendly against Japan in
November.(SD-Agencies)
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