Barcelona has agreed terms with a relatively unknown Argentine league coach, Gerardo Martino, to follow in the footsteps of two of European footballs most successful coaches. According to a club statement on Tuesday, Martino will be given a two-year contract. He will replace Tito Vilanova, who in turn succeeded Pep Guardiola. Vilanova began as Guardiolas assistant, providing the tactical know-how that helped his then boss forge one of the best teams in the history of the sport -- winning 14 of a possible 19 titles from 2008-2012, including two Champions League trophies. During Vilanovas single season in charge, he led Barcelona to the Spanish league title with a record-tying 100 points. He stepped down as Barcelona coach last week following a recurrence of throat cancer. Despite having no experience coaching a European club, the 50-year-old Martino received backing from Barcelona star Lionel Messi before the clubs sporting director travelled to Buenos Aires to negotiate the deal. Messi spoke glowingly of Martino, better known in Argentina by the nickname "Tata." "I like Tata Martino," Messi said recently. "He is a great coach," adding that "his teams play well and we all respect him." Martino acknowledged Messis influence in landing the job. "I have no doubt that Jorge (Messis father) and Lionel have had importance," Martino said at a news conference in Rosario, Argentina. "They surely have spoken with the club officials. Surely they were asked their opinion." The club praised Martino on its website for "his clear commitment to the passing game" and the attacking style that have become Barcelonas on-field trademark. However, in a poll published Tuesday by the Catalan regions leading newspaper, La Vanguardia, under the banner "Do you approve of Tata Martino signing?" 58 per cent of readers answered "no" and only 32 per cent approved. Ten per cent of the 1,000 people polled had no opinion. Barcelona said it will specify plans for the Argentines arrival in Barcelona "in the coming hours." Martino is expected to travel from Argentina to sign a contract and be presented officially to the club. Martino played as a midfielder from 1980-1996, including a short spell in 1991 at Spanish club Tenerife in the Canary Islands. He also led Paraguay to the quarterfinals of the World Cup for the first time, in 2010. Martino is due to arrive with his assistant from coaching Newells Old Boys last season, Jorge Pautasso, fitness coach Elvio Paulo Rosso and coach Adrian Coria, who once was in charge of Messi at the Argentine club. Barcelona says Martino will become the fourth Argentine to coach the club, after Helenio Herrera (1958-60, 1980 and 1980-81), Roque Olsen (1965-67), and Cesar Luis Menotti (1983-84). Barcelona is due to travel to Germany on Wednesday for a preseason friendly match against Bayern Munich -- which is now coached by Guardiola -- but Martino is not going to be able to accompany the squad, the club said. In what he called an "open letter" released Tuesday, Vilanova said his doctors had advised him to give up coaching, but said he would not be leaving the club altogether. "I will continue to be very close and will carry on working at this club that I love so much on other tasks within the area of sports," said Vilanova without specifying any further. MLB Jerseys China . The 26-year-old Ireland striker, who has four goals this season, has signed a three-and-a-half year contract with his new club. MLB Jerseys Outlet . If ever they start actually putting pictures beside words in the dictionary, the Blue Jays left-handers mug will appear beside “Consistency. https://www.mlbjerseyschina.us/ . -- Anaheim Ducks defenceman Luca Sbisa will be out at least six weeks with a torn tendon in his right hand. Clearance MLB Jerseys . -- Mike Smith never saw his first NHL goal go in. Discount MLB Jerseys . If ever they start actually putting pictures beside words in the dictionary, the Blue Jays left-handers mug will appear beside “Consistency. YAS MARINA, Abu Dhabi -- Max Verstappen says he is neutral to the recent comparisons made between his drive at the Brazilian Grand Prix and Ayrton Senna.Verstappen stole the headlines at Interlagos as he put on an overtaking clinic in the wet conditions, charging from 16th to third in the final portion of the race. Red Bull boss Christian Horner later said the drive deserved to be compared to some of Senna and Michael Schumachers career-defining races in the wet.Speaking about that praise on Wednesday in Abu Dhabi, Verstappen said: Its nice for sure but its also very important to stay neutral about it. That was a great race, but its finished now and Im focusing ahead. The day after I was still very happy with the performance, thats for sure.It was very difficult and at the end I was also just very happy to finish the race. The last sector was very difficult to drive, so on the last lap I was very happy that was the last lap of the race.When asked if he felt the race answered those who have questioned his aggressive technique this year, he replied: I always thought that was fine. Like I said before, Im always focusing on myself and trying to do the best possible race and result. Thats how it goes, I dont care about other opinionss.ddddddddddddOne of Verstappens most enjoyable overtakes was on Sebastian Vettel, who he has come to blows with on several occasions this year. The pass starting with him undercutting Vettel at the bottom of the hill running up towards the final corner and finished with the Ferrari driver being forced wide by Verstappen.Though Vettel complained about Verstappens driving after the race, the Dutch teenager admits the four-time world champion contacted him later with a different view of the incident.He sent me a text after the race, but that was mainly about the tyres. Its alright, we are racing drivers, so I think he realised soon afterwards that he couldnt hold me behind anyway. If we are fighting a lot then maybe he can complain a bit more, but it was a very fair move. In Turn 4 he tried to do the same to me, but I quickly realised what he was trying to do so just backed off behind.I did the same to him, I just overtook him, we were next to each other and he just kept going around the outside. At one point I cant do any more because Im on the inside where its more slippery. And we didnt even touch. ' ' '