BRIEF-Soccer-Argentine Basualdo to take over Chile's 'the U'

SANTIAGO, July 6 (Reuters) - Former Argentina World Cup midfielder Jose Basualdo has agreed to take over Chilean Apertura championship finalists Universidad de Chile.

"For now (the accord) is for a year...Depending on what happens during the year, it could be extended or not," Basualdo told the local radio Agricultura on Monday.

Basualdo, who played in the 1990 World Cup final in Rome and the 1994 tournament in the U.S., will take over The "U" from Uruguayan Sergio Markarian, who is leaving after Tuesday's second leg of the championship final against Union Espanola. The first leg finished 1-1.

The former Boca Juniors, Velez Sarsfield and VfB Stuttgart player steered modest Santiago Morning to their first apperanace in the Chilean championship playoffs this year. (Reporting by Claudio Cerda; Editing by Ed Osmond; to query or comment on this story email sportsfeedback@thomsonreuters.com)