Basile Quits As Argentina Coach

Alfio Basile quit as coach of Argentina on Thursday, a day after his team’s 1-0 loss to Chile in their 2010 World Cup qualifier.

The two-time World Champions crashed to their first defeat at the hands of their rivals in 35 years - another disappointing result in a below-par World Cup qualification campaign.

"Basile spoke to the president of AFA (Julio Grondona) and quit for personal reasons," Argentina Football Association (AFA) spokesman Ernesto Cherquis told reporters.

"The national teams committee tried to persuade him to postpone his decision but Basile was very decided, very determined (and) the resignation has been accepted."

Basile was appointed after the 2006 World Cup for his second spell in charge and led Argentina to a Copa America final which ended in a 3-0 defeat at the hands of Brazil.

He has however come under-fire at home in recent months as Argentina have collected just 16 points from 10 qualification games.