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Maradona takes Argentina post

Argentina legend Maradona replaces Basile

Last updated: 30th October 2008

Maradona: New Argentina head coach

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Diego Maradona has replaced Alfio Basile as Argentina coach and will make his managerial debut in a friendly against Scotland in Glasgow on 19th November.

The Argentina legend, who helped guide his county to World Cup glory in 1986, succeeds Basile following his resignation after their World Cup qualifying defeat to Chile.

Rather riskily Maradona has no top level coaching experience, but is thought to have convinced selectors with his pledge to return the national team to the heady highs of when he was the captain.

England trip

One of Maradona's first tasks it to fly to England to run the rule over two of the stars in his squad, Manchester United's Carlos Tevez and Liverpool's Javier Mascherano.

"I am travelling to England on Saturday to watch (Carlos) Tevez and (Javier) Mascherano play. And in Scotland I am going to make my coaching debut," he told a press conference.

Maradona's second match in charge of Argentina will be a friendly against France in Marseille on 11th February.