Former Argentina boss Daniel Passarella has backed Estudiantes coach Alejandro Sabella to succeed Diego Maradona with the Albiceleste.

GettyImagesSabella looks likely to be the first former Sheffield United player to coach Argentina

Sabella, who worked alongside Passarella during his time in charge of Argentina, took charge of Estudiantes in March 2009 and led the team to success in the Copa Libertadores.

It is now reported that he will be confirmed as the new coach of the national side on Friday, taking the reins after completing his upcoming commitments with his club.

"I would be very happy to if Alejandro was available to coach Argentina, and for me he should come and get it right now," Passarella told Ole. "He's a great person and great coach, and I'm sure that - like everyone in his situation - he would be ready to accept this job.

"I always did my best on the team. It would be a pleasure to see Sabella in the job."

Estudiantes' head of international development Sergio Neveleff has confirmed that Argentina hope to recruit Sabella.

"In Argentina, being the national team coach is the most wanted position," Neveleff told BBC Sport. "We were confident that Alex would be our manager for a long time, but now we are affected [by the national team situation]."

Argentina Under-20 boss Sergio Batista has been named as caretaker manager and is expected to take charge of the friendlies against Republic of Ireland and Spain in August and September.