Soccer's biggest names welcome Maradona into management

/ Maxliu / 31 October 2008 / 1 Comments

Diego Maradonna's appointment as manager of Argentina has been welcomed by players who will be working under him as well as two of soccer's most eminent managers.

Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson said: "I think he's an inspirational figure," adding that United and Argentina striker Carlos Tevez is delighted by the appointment. "All the players are delighted. Carlos is over the moon that Maradonna has been appointed."

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez said Tevez's countrymen Javier Mascherano was equally pleased: "Javier is delighted. When he was told about the appointment he was very excited and pleased."

Benitez also said that Maradona is due to fly to England to speak with Mascherano and Tevez - two of Argentina's most influential players: "Diego will be very welcome to come to our training ground. I think he will do well as a manager."

However, opinion is divided as to whether Maradonna, one of soccer's greatest and most controversial players of all time, will be a success as a coach. He shared the Fifa Greatest Player of the Century award with Pele and played in four World Cups, leading his country to victory in 1986. En route to the Mexico 86 triumph he scored both goals in the 2-1 victory over England in the quarter-final - the first goal was an unpenalized handball known as the "Hand of God", while the second was a spectacular 60-metre weave through six England players, commonly referred to as "The Goal of the Century".

This week, Maradonna joked that "The Hand of God" may earn him a rousing reception when he takes charge of Argentina for the first time against Scotland - England's traditional enemies - at Hampden Park on November 19th.

Maradona's return to the international soccer scene is as suprising as it is intriguing. As well as his numerous achievements as a player he also gained notoreity - not least for a 20 year cocaine addiction which resulted in him being banned from soccer twice, the second time after he was sent home from the 1994 World Cup in disgrace following a failed drug test.

After retiring from playing in 1997, Maradona suffered ill health and weight gain. However, a stomach stapling operation helped control his weight and, since overcoming his cocaine addiction, he has become a TV host in Argentina.

Despite the ups and downs of Maradonna's life, his status as a soccer genius has never been in doubt and, whether he succeeds or fails as Argentina manager, it's great to see him back in the game.

Watch the career highlights which make El Diego for many the greatest soccer player of all time here and check out his silkiest skills here.

Comments (1)

1. Marc Williams | 05 November 2008

   Go Maradonna, it was about time he started doing more in soccer again. Well done!!