Maradona officially becomes Argentina coach

Nov 5, 2008 - 12:26 AM BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (Ticker) -- Diego Maradona officially was named Argentina's new soccer coach Tuesday, a move that re-united the former superstar with the team he led to the World Cup championship in 1986.

Maradona, 48, will make his debut as Argentina's coach on November 19 against Scotland.

"Being the coach of the national team is an honor for me," he said. "I will do my best to succeed. We will work every day to make Argentina have a better national team day by day."

Although he remains a national hero for his exploits on the pitch, Maradona has received scrutiny for his appointment to the coaching position.

A five-time South American Footballer of the Year, Maradona is relatively inexperienced as a coach and has battled numerous problems with drug abuse and obesity in recent years.

However, Maradona offered serene responses to questions regarding his checkered past.

"I am coming into a very beautiful dream," he said. "My spirit is calm. I cannot ask for more. This is the best moment in my life."

Maradona replaced Alfio Basile, who stepped down for personal reasons on October 16 following a loss to Chile in World cup qualifying.

One of Maradona's first moves was to name Javier Mascherano as the national team's captain, a position formerly held by Javier Zanetti.

"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 teammate," Maradona said. "I will convince him. He will be my captain."