Brazil's Sao Paulo hire Argentine Crespo as coach

The 45-year-old's appointment comes just three weeks after he led modest Argentine side Defensa y Justicia to the Copa Sudamericana title.

The former striker, a Premier League winner with Chelsea and three-time Serie A champion with Inter Milan, has signed a two-year contract.

"He has a winning history, he was a great athlete and is a very promising coach," said Sao Paulo president Julio Casares.

"We have a commander with a winning mentality," he added.

Crespo replaces Brazilian Fernando Diniz, who was fired after a string of poor results that dropped Sao Paulo off the top of the Brazilian championship.