Man City legend Pablo Zabaleta gets job as Albania assistant manager as ex-Arsenal ace Sylvinho takes over Balkan side

FORMER Arsenal star Sylvinho has been appointed coach of Albania's national team.

And Manchester City icon Pablo Zabaleta has become the Brazilian's assistant with the Balkan side.

Former defender Sylvinho, 48, replaces Italian Edy Reja as the Albanians' boss.

He will now guide the likes of Chelsea striker Armando Broja and Brentford keeper Thomas Strakosha.

Albania are seeking a first-ever appearance at the World Cup finals, and only their second Euros showing after a debut in 2016.

Sylvinho and Zabaleta have penned 18-month deals, taking them to the Euro 2024 finals.

The pair are due to be presented in Tirana next Monday as they begin their new careers.

The Albanian Football Federation announced: "The agreement has at its core the achievement of Albania's only goal in these qualifiers - qualification for the Euro 2024 finals.

"In the event of reaching the target, the coach and his staff will benefit from significant bonuses.

"In his rich career as a player, Sylvinho has been active at Corinthians, Arsenal, Celta Vigo, Barcelona and Manchester City, where he ended his career."

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Left-back Sylvinho joined Arsenal in 1999, scoring five goals in 80 Gunners appearances across two seasons.

He played 15 times for City in the 2009-10 campaign, scoring once.

Argentine right-back Zabaleta won a host of trophies during nine seasons with City before leaving in 2017.

The 37-year-old then spent three years with West Ham before retiring in 2020.