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Benitez welcomes Maradona to Anfield

Published by Zac Lee Rigg on November 1, 2008

Diego Maradona is set to be named manager of the Argentinian national team later this week.

The former great famously refered to Argentina as “Mascherano plus ten.” Javier Mascherano’s club manager, Rafael Benitez has welcomed the appointment as “exciting” and would welcome a visit from the player who scored the “hand of God” against England.

“I talked to Mascherano about Maradona’s appointment and he is delighted,” he said, according to Liverpoolfc.tv.

“I have also spoken with the Argentina federation, and everything is okay for Diego to come to Liverpool.

“Everybody will have the chance to talk, and to discuss the future for Javier and the national team.

“Nobody can ever doubt the quality of Maradona as a player, but I think he will do well as a manager.

“He will find that it is different as a manager, but he has a technical director with plenty of experience and they are trying to bring in some ex-players who have experience as managers to help him.

“That sort of staff around him will make it easier, he will have plenty of help and it will be a very interesting situation.”

He added: “I know when Javier was told about the appointment he was excited, and very pleased.

“I do not know whether Maradona will be here for the Madrid game, but I suppose it is possible. There are several good Argentineans in their squad for him to see.

“Diego will be very welcome to come to our training ground next week, and to see the match. Maybe I can persuade him to take a few free-kicks!”

Benitez uncharacteristically took time to talk about the past and his own playing days. The Liverpool boss didn’t enjoy the same success as Maradona, but their career time lines have overlapped.

He said: “We are about the same age, he had a great impact on me as a player. I watched him when he was at Napoli and Barcelona. He was absolutely amazing in Naples.

“You talk to the people there and they tell you he is `God’ which just underlines what everybody knows, he was a fantastic player.

“I think it is an exciting appointment. If he has the right people around him it will be really good for Argentina.”

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