LEGENDARY former Argentina manager Cesar Luis Menotti has passed away aged 85.

The iconic gaffer, who led his country to their first ever World Cup win in 1978, passed away today after being hospitalised for a month with severe anemia.

The Rosario-born tactician guided Argentina to a 3-1 victory over the Netherlands, as extra-time goals from tournament top scorer Mario Kempes and team-mate Daniel Bertoni sealed the win.

The Argentine Football Association (AFA) confirmed his death in a statement which read: "The Argentine Football Association regrets to report with great sadness the death of Cesar Luis Menotti, current Director of National Teams and former World Champion coach of Argentina."

As the manager of La Albiceleste, Menotti took a team that had limped out of the 1974 World Cup in Germany and turned them into world beaters.

He also enjoyed spells as the coach of Barcelona, Boca Juniors, Independiente, River Plate and Atletico Madrid to name but a few.

Menotti took charge of the Mexican national team in the early 1990s, rebuilding the side after their disqualification from the 1990 World Cup

A striker in his playing days, Menotti played in Argentina with Rosario Central, Racing Club, Boca Juniors.

He later joined the New York Generals before playing for Santos and Juventus in Brazil.