Maturana to coach Independiente Medellin

Bogota:

Francisco Maturana, who led Colombia to two World Cups, was named the new coach of struggling Independiente Medellin on Friday. Maturana coached Colombia in the 1990 and 1994 World Cups, and replaced interim coach Edgar Carvajal, who will stay on as an assistant. Carvajal became the interim coach in March when Javier Alvarez was fired after a disappointing performance by Medellin in the national championship, where it finished second-to-last with just three victories in 18 matches. Maturana, who will officially take over at the club on Tuesday, has also coached the national teams of Ecuador, Peru and Costa Rica. In Colombia, he coached Medellin's Atletico Nacional to the 1989 Copa Libertadores title. He also coached Valladolid and Atletico Madrid in Spain, and Colon of Argentina. (AP)