Argentina legend Diego Maradona has been confirmed as the new coach of the South American country.
Argentina legend takes on coaching role
Argentina legend Diego Maradona has been confirmed as the new coach of the South American country.
The appointment, which was widely expected after Maradona confirmed he was set to replace Alfio Basile, was announced by the Argentinian Football Association on Tuesday.
The diminutive genius, who led his country to World Cup glory in 1986 and guided them to the final again four years later, has already appointed Sergio Batista and Jose Luis Brown to his coaching team.
His first game at the helm will be the friendly international against Scotland at Hampden Park on 19th November.
Maradona, who is regarded as one of the greatest players of all time, has limited coaching experience and a chequered past.
Dream
He told a news conference: "It's an honour. It's a dream come true.
"I'm going to give it my all to make sure that things go well. We're going to work everyday so that Argentina has a national team that keeps getting better and better."
Julio Grondona, the president of the Argentinian Football Association, said: "Today is a special day for Argentinian football.
"Maradona is the new technical director and Carlos Bilardo (the 1986 World Cup winning coach) is the general manager of the team."
Maradona spent two brief coaching stints with club sides Deportivo Mandiyu and Racing Club during the mid-1990s, winning just three of his 23 games at the helm.
Since retiring as a player the former Barcelona and Napoli ace has suffered from drug addiction, alcohol problems and obesity and four years ago spent 10 days in the intensive care unit of a Buenos Aires hospital.
