ACCRINGTON Stanley have added a South American flavour to their coaching staff by bringing in Argentinian Pablo Asensio on a full-time basis.

The 35-year-old enjoyed a playing career in Argentina, Greece and Spain before moving to England and becoming a British citizen in 2002.

He worked on a part-time basis with Leeds United under the management of Dennis Wise and mentor Gus Poyet, who subsequently allowed Asensio to observe training sessions at Tottenham.

Asensio, based in LIverpool, also acted as a translator when Stanley handed trials to five Argentinians as well as a Spaniard and a Frenchman during the summer and has held a FIFA agent’s licence since 2006, although he has now ended that role because of a conflict of interests.

He has been keen to move into full-time coaching for some time, making unsuccessful applications for manager’s jobs at some non-league clubs.

But he now gets his first chance with the Reds, where he will coach both outfield players and goalkeepers under the guidance of John Coleman and Jimmy Bell.

Asensio, who started work on Tuesday, said: “I am here on a full-time basis but, as with all jobs, they will look at it after couple of months and decide if I stay here.

“I want to get experience here and learn from John and Jimmy. I respect them both.”