Argentine soccer legend Diego Maradona was officially named coach of the national side on Tuesday by Julio Grondona, the president of the Argentine Football Association.
Grondona said that appointing the 48-year-old — who virtually singlehandedly took Argentina to the 1986 World Cup trophy — was extra special.
“Today is a special day for Argentine soccer,” Grondona said. “Maradona is the new technical director and Carlos Bilardo [the 1986 World Cup winning coach] is the general manager of the team.”
Maradona, whose first game in charge will be a friendly against Scotland in Glasgow on Nov. 19, said: “My dream is fulfilled. I feel anything but nervous. I’ve lots of sensations, but I feel serene because I can do the job, serene because I have Carlos alongside me and the support of Grondona.”
Maradona — who was part of the Argentina side that muscled its way into the 1990 final only to have two players sent off as they lost 1-0 to then West Germany — won crucial support a fortnight ago in his bid to become coach when the man charged with finding Alfio Basile’s successor threw his weight behind the World Cup winning skipper.
“I’d like Maradona to be the next coach,” said Noray Nakis, the president of the Argentine Football Association selection commission.
Tackled by reporters on whether he was concerned the legend that has built up around him as a player may be tainted if he fails in his new career as a manager, Maradona replied: “I’m not worried about the crown falling off me. On the contrary it would be worse if I hid and did not take up the job. We’re in a mini-crisis. We’ll get out of it.”
“I would be a coward if I was not here. The fact that I’m here demonstrates that I’m of the people,” he said.
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