Maradona rules out Boca job

BUENOS AIRES: Argentinian legend Diego Maradona ruled himself out of the coaching job at his beloved former club Boca Juniors, saying he did not have enough experience.

Maradona, a vice-president at Boca, had been linked to the position after club boss Mauricio Macri urged the 1986 World Cup-winning captain to consider taking the helm following the departure of Alfio Basile.

But Maradona was adamant the time was not right for him to take over at Boca, where he played for three seasons in two separate spells at the beginning and end of his career.

“I’m happy where I am,” Maradona said. “Whoever replaces Basile must be somebody with more experience than me, and with a big personality, because the dressing room is pretty fiery.”

Maradona said he believed that Boca should target former Mexico coach Ricardo La Volpe, who stepped down after his side were beaten in the last 16 of the World Cup.

The Argentinian coach said he was proud to be linked to the Boca job after arriving in Buenos Aires.

“I’m honoured that an institution like Boca — one of the biggest clubs in the world - is thinking of me as their coach,” he said.