Lionel Scaloni has been named as Argentina‘s interim head coach following the sacking of Jorge Sampaoli in the wake of his side’s disastrous World Cup campaign.

Scaloni, a former Argentina right-back whose clubs included Lazio and West Ham, was Sampaoli’s assistant as the national team were eliminated by France at the last-16 stage in Russia.

Sampaoli left his post last month amid rumours of a dressing-room coup in which it was claimed that senior players Javier Mascherano and Lionel Messi had effectively taken up the reins.

Scaloni will be in charge of Argentina for next month’s friendlies against Guatemala and Colombia.

He will be assisted by Pablo Aimar and goalkeeping coach Martin Tocalli.

The Argentinian football Association’s statement read: “The AFA informs that, after the meeting of the executive committee, Lionel Scaloni will direct the next friendlies of the Argentine national team, along with his assistants Pablo Aimar and Martin Tocalli.”