[TO DEVILS]

Chile coach Acosta quits before Paraguay friendly

SANTIAGO, Nov 15 (Reuters) - Chile coach Nelson Acosta resigned on Wednesday, moments before his side were due to face Paraguay in a friendly.


Acosta, who has coached Chile twice in the past 10 years, guiding them to some of their finest results, stepped down after the new president of the Chilean football association refused to back him.


Harold Mayne-Nicholls had said a new coach should take over when Acosta's contract expired at the end of this year.

'I think this is the time to quit the job as coach of the national team,' Acosta told reporters in the resort of Vina del Mar where Chile were due to face Paraguay later.

'I've believe it's wise, constructive and timely to allow the authorities the necessary space, time and calm to decide who should take over.'

Acosta, a Uruguayan-born Chilean national, became coach in 1996 and led Chile to the second round of the 1998 World Cup, fourth place in the Copa America in 1999 and a bronze medal at the Sydney Olympics in 2000.

He was sacked in 2001 following Chile's poor performances in the qualifiers for the 2002 World Cup but was reinstated in May 2005.

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