The Argentine coach Hernán Crespo announced his resignation as manager of the humble Defensa y Justicia, whom he led a few weeks ago to a historic consacration as champion of the Copa Sudamericana, due to the possibility of receiving a tempting offer soon.

Crespo, 45, received a call to be the coach of the Chilean national team in view of the South American qualifiers for the Qatar-2022 World Cup and the next Copa América in Argentina and Colombia, according to the press in Buenos Aires.

In January, the rising club from the southern suburbs won the trophy against the Argentinian Lanús 3-0 in a final played in Córdoba (center). It was the club's first international title, which originated from a bus company.

At the same time, in recent days, the former goalscorer of the Argentine national team, River Plate, and Inter Milan, among other institutions, would have also received an offer from the popular Brazilian club Sao Paulo to replace Fernando Diniz, and he could also return to Europe to coach in Italy, after spending almost all of 2020 without being able to see his three daughters due to Covid-19 restrictions.

"Through these words and through this means, I want to communicate that I say goodbye, along with my coaching staff, from Defensa y Justicia, grateful for having been received with respect, love, and trust in our work," Crespo emphasized in a message posted on his Instagram account.

The southern 'Halcón' will play the Libertadores-2021, the South American Recopa, and the Levain Cup against the champion of the Japanese League Cup this year.

"It has been a year of great effort, commitment, and passion to try to carry out our playing proposal. Thanks to the players for their commitment and effort to try to propose our ideas and our ways. It requires a lot of courage and humility to do it, and this group of players gave everything, trusting in us," he highlighted.

The former forward, who had a remarkable career in Europe as a player, expressed his gratitude to the leaders and "to all the people of Defensa y Justicia, who, in this year of pandemic, have supported us in every possible way, with their unconditional support and love. Defensa y Justicia will always be in my heart and the heart of my family. Thank you!!"

Crespo is the fourth top scorer in the history of the Argentina national team with 35 goals, behind Sergio Agüero (41), Gabriel Batistuta (54), and Lionel Messi (71).