Wednesday, November 5, 2008

Maradona lands Argentina job



LEGEND Diego Maradona has been confirmed as the new Argentina boss.

The Argentinian Football Association gave the move the green light at a meeting in Buenos Aires today.

Maradona, 48, replaces Alfio Basile, who stepped down for personal reasons last month.

The star, who led his country to the 1986 World Cup, will now plan for his first game against Scotland at Hampden Park on November 19.

Maradona, who will work alongside new technical secretary Carlos Bilardo, said: “Being the coach of the national team and being alongside Carlos is an honour for me.

“I will do my best to succeed. We will work every day to make Argentina have a better national team day by day."

Bilardo was Argentina coach in 1986 and will work closely with his former player in the new set-up.

Maradona has also revealed that he wants Liverpool midfielder Javier Mascherano as his new skipper.

He said: “I want Mascherano to be my captain because I believe he is the Argentinian player who is closest to the idea I have about the Argentinian shirt.

"Sweat for it, sacrifice for it, being a professional, being close to the team-mate.

“I will convince him. He will be my captain.”

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