Maradona is Argentina coach

BUENOS AIRES – Argentinian football legend Diego Maradona capped a remarkable comeback from a near fatal heart attack four years ago to being named coach of the national side here on Tuesday.

Maradona, who will be 48 on Thursday and who has no top level coaching experience, said he hoped to repeat the success of the 1986 World Cup when as a player he inspired them virtually single-handedly to the title. He will be assisted in that mission of winning the 2010 World Cup in South Africa by another integral member of the 1986 set-up coach Carlos Bilardo, who will be the director of football.Their respective roles were rubberstamped at a meeting with Argentinian Football Association president Julio Grondona.”During the conversation with Grondona and Bilardo it became clear that I was to coach the team,” said Maradona, whose international playing career came to an ignominious end when he failed a dope test at the 1994 World Cup finals.”However, I am going to listen to everything Bilardo has to say.He is going to help me as we can’t leave someone with the success, experience and knowledge he brings on the sidelines.”Grondona’s ideas are the same as mine and Bilardo’s.My job will be to go and watch the players as often as possible.The idea is to return the squad to the spirit of 1986.”Nampa-APHe will be assisted in that mission of winning the 2010 World Cup in South Africa by another integral member of the 1986 set-up coach Carlos Bilardo, who will be the director of football.Their respective roles were rubberstamped at a meeting with Argentinian Football Association president Julio Grondona.”During the conversation with Grondona and Bilardo it became clear that I was to coach the team,” said Maradona, whose international playing career came to an ignominious end when he failed a dope test at the 1994 World Cup finals.”However, I am going to listen to everything Bilardo has to say.He is going to help me as we can’t leave someone with the success, experience and knowledge he brings on the sidelines.”Grondona’s ideas are the same as mine and Bilardo’s.My job will be to go and watch the players as often as possible.The idea is to return the squad to the spirit of 1986.”Nampa-AP

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