BUENOS AIRES, Dec. 26 (Xinhua) -- Alfio Basile, the former Argentina coach, was named as the boss of top-flight Racing Club for the fourth time in his career on Monday.

He took over the job from comptriot Diego Simeone who has left to coach Atletico Madrid in Spain.

"I want to be a champion," said the 68-year-old who had two spells in charge of Argentina from 1991-1994 and 2006-2008.

Racing Club were runners-up behind Boca Juniors in the Argentina championship which concluded two weeks ago.

Basile, a former central defender, played for Racing from 1964-1970, winning the league title in 1966 and the Copa Libertadores in 1967.

He also coached Racing in 1978, 1986-1989 and 1996-1997.