River Plate announced late Thursday that it has appointed Ramon Diaz as its new manager.

Diaz replaces Matias Almeyda, who was sacked earlier in the week following a string of poor results.

The 53-year-old has coached River Plate before, leading the club to five league titles, the Copa Libertadores title in 1996 and the Supercopa Sudamericana in 1997.

River Plate has claimed 23 points through 17 Apertura matches this season, leaving the famed Argentine club 12 points adrift of first-place Velez Sarsfield.