Venezuela have named Rafael Dudamel to coach the national team. no_source

Venezuela football federation president Laureano Gonzalez on Friday said that former national team goalkeeper Rafael Dudamel will replace Noel "Chita" Sanvicente as head coach of the national team.

The Vinotinto have one draw and five losses thus far in 2018 World Cup qualifying and sit last in the CONMEBOL table with one point.

Sanvicente, who had been named to coach in July of 2014 in replacement of Cesar Farias, resigned after the team's 4-1 loss to Chile.

"He has stepped aside by mutual agreement," Gonzalez said of Sanvicente. "We agreed to end his contract on terms that are favourable for both sides. We will begin a new stage with the naming of a new coach."

La Junta Directiva de la FVF ha designado a Rafael Dudamel como técnico de la selección de mayores por el resto de las eliminatorias - FVF (@FVF_Oficial) April 1, 2016

The federation is struggling with a financial crisis that reflects the current state of the Venezuela economy. Given the circumstances, Gonzalez said that hiring a foreign coach was out of the budget and that Dudamel, who played with the national team for 17 years and is the current U20 coach, was the logical choice.

Gonzalez said that Dudamel would also continue to coach the U20 squad. Venezuela has been grouped for the Copa America Centenario with Mexico, Uruguay and Jamaica.