LIVERPOOL icon Javier Mascherano is following his old Reds team-mates Steven Gerrard and Xabi Alonso into management.
The former Barcelona and West Ham midfielder has been confirmed as Argentina’s Under-20s boss.
He will take over next year, the Argentine FA announced on Thursday.
The former Argentina international has more than 100 caps for his country.
And the 37-year-old will take over from Fernando Batista in January.
Mascherano spent time at the very top of the game and played for River Plate, Corinthians, West Ham, Liverpool, Barcelona and Estudiantes.
He retired from playing in November 2020.
But his time at Anfield was defined by his role in an awesome midfield trio with Gerrard and Alonso.
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Gerrard is now managing Aston Villa after a spell at Rangers.
And Alonso is in charge of Segunda Division side Real Sociedad B.
Mascherano signed for West Ham at the same time as Carlos Tevez.
The transfers were controversial and the Hammers were later hit with a fine of more than £30million after they stayed up on the final day of the season when Tevez scored a winner at Old Trafford.
Sheffield United were relegated in their place and the Blades were fuming.
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While Tevez cemented himself as a Hammers hero in his short spell in East London, Mascherano struggled to get up to pace and was kept out the team by Hayden Mullins for most of his time there.
He eventually moved to Anfield and made 139 appearances for the Reds.
But he was most successful at the Nou Camp where he made 334 appearances between 2010 and 2018.
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