Gerardo Martino has resigned as Argentina boss in the wake of the nation’s latest Copa America setback and the retirement of star striker Lionel Messi.

The 53-year-old former Barcelona head coach, who is also known as ‘Tata’, led Argentina to the final of last month’s Copa America tournament in the United States, but the Albiceleste lost to Chile.

Messi subsequently called time on his international career, putting further pressure on Martino to make way for a new technical set-up ahead of the summer Olympic Games.

A statement published on the Argentine Football Association’s official website yesterday read: “The coaching staff of the national team have tendered their resignations today.”

Martino succeeded Alejandro Sabella after Argentina lost to Germany in the 2014 World Cup final and he won 19 of his 29 matches in charge of the S. American country.

June’s near miss against Chile in the Copa America final saw history repeat itself as Martino’s men had lost to a Jorge Sampaoli-led Roja team in the 2015 tournament.

Three years of disappointment with the national team led 29-year-old Messi to make himself unavailable for future selection after 113 caps and 55 goals.

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