Former Argentina and Tottenham Hotspur star Osvaldo Ardiles is to become the new coach of Beitar Jerusalem, the Israeli club’s Russian owner revealed.

Ardiles who went on to coach at north London’s Spurs and in Japan after winning the 1978 World Cup as a player with Argentina takes over from former Paris St Germain boss Luis Fernandez who guided the team to a disappointing third place in the Israeli championship which finished earlier this month.

“Mr Ardiles gave his agreement this morning to become the coach for next season,” the club’s multi-millionaire owner Arcady Gaydamak told AFP.

Other big names who had been linked to the vacancy included the former England and Newcastle United manager Kevin Keegan.

The 53-year-old Ardiles has had mixed fortunes since hanging up his boots, winning silverware in Japan but he was sacked in 1994 by Spurs as they were locked in a relegation battle.

Source:soccer Worldcup