Edgardo Bauza named new Argentina football coach

Bauza, 58, takes on the job after a strong season at Brazilian club Sao Paulo, which he coached to the semi-finals of the Copa Libertadores.

But he faces the stigma of being the default choice.

A string of Argentine coaches including Diego Simeone of Atletico Madrid, Jorge Sampaoli of Sevilla and Mauricio Pochettino of Tottenham Hotspur reportedly declined the job.

Bauza has won two Copa Libertadores -- one in 2014 with Pope Francis's favorite team, San Lorenzo, the other in 2008 with Ecuadoran side LDU Quito.

He takes over an Argentina smarting from Barcelona star Messi's abrupt retirement announcement, the departure of coach Gerardo Martino and a series of disappointing losses in big tournaments -- most recently in the Copa America final, the catalyst for Messi's exit.