1. Alejandro Sabella then had a spell with another English side, Leeds United, before returning to South America and representing Estudiantes, Gremio, Ferro Carril Oeste and Irapuato.
22 Facts About Alejandro Sabella
1. 2.
The duo finally returned to River Plate for whom they had both played before Alejandro Sabella struck out on his own to become manager of Estudiantes in his own right, winning the Argentine Primera Division Apertura championship and the 2009 Copa Libertadores.
3.
Alejandro Sabella had scheduled his resignation to take effect after the conclusion of the World Cup.
4.
Alejandro Sabella died on 8 December 2020, due to an infection caught during a stay in hospital.
5.
Alejandro Sabella was born to a middle-class family in Buenos Aires' well-off Palermo neighborhood.
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Alejandro Sabella was an excellent student at school, and was admitted to the Faculty of Law of the University of Buenos Aires, but his career as a football player eventually forced him to abandon his studies.
7.
Alejandro Sabella's style reflected Alonso's, with emphasis on individual technique and short passes.
8.
Alejandro Sabella got his break in 1976, when Alonso was transferred to Marseille.
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Alejandro Sabella played a key role when River won the 1977 Metropolitano championship.
10.
Nevertheless, when Alonso returned to River Plate, Alejandro Sabella was again relegated to the bench.
11.
Alejandro Sabella played for United until 1980, scoring eight league goals in 76 appearances.
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However, Alejandro Sabella had ambitions to play in the First Division and refused to go.
13.
Alejandro Sabella played for Leeds without much success between 1980 and 1981, making 23 appearances and scoring two goals.
14.
In December 1981, Alejandro Sabella started looking for an Argentine club and was eventually sold to Estudiantes de La Plata.
15.
When Bilardo was put in charge of the Argentina national team, Alejandro Sabella competed for his place with veterans Norberto Alonso and Ricardo Bochini, as well as younger players like Carlos Daniel Tapia, Jorge Burruchaga and Diego Maradona.
16.
Alejandro Sabella played eight times for the national team, playing in all four games in the 1983 Copa America and in four friendlies; against Chile in May 1983, Paraguay in July 1983, Brazil in June 1984 and Uruguay in July 1984.
17.
Alejandro Sabella subsequently returned to Estudiantes, but retired after a short spell in the Mexican league with Irapuato in 1989.
18.
On 15 March 2009, Alejandro Sabella became coach of Estudiantes de La Plata, where he won the 2009 Copa Libertadores.
19.
Alejandro Sabella was originally set to be the new coach of UAE League team Al-Jazira Club but backed out of the agreement after the Argentine Football Association had shown interest in him.
20.
Alejandro Sabella was interested in politics and history and had strong political views.
21.
Alejandro Sabella was admitted to hospital on 25 November 2020 with cardiac problems.
22.
Alejandro Sabella caught a virus in hospital, and died on 8 December 2020.