The Argentine legend watched on from a special armchair as his team routed his former club by a four-goal margin
Diego Maradona revealed his desire to return to Newell’s Old Boys as coach after receiving a hero’s welcome from his former team prior to Gimnasia y Esgrima La Plata’s stunning rout.
Maradona spent a brief period playing for Newell’s in 1993-94 after leaving Sevilla and while he only played a handful of games, the Argentine great was treated like royalty throughout Gimnasia’s shock 4-0 victory on Tuesday.
Now coach of struggling Superliga side Gimnasia, Maradona entered Estadio Marcelo Bielsa amid a chorus of chants, received a special gift from Newell’s and shared an embrace with former Argentina international Maxi Rodriguez.
Maradona then signed a special throne and proceeded to observe the match from his armchair, which was broadcasted live via ‘Diego Cam’ on TNT Sports, as opposition coach.
After the game, World Cup winner and former Argentina boss Maradona told reporters: “I have a broken heart because I know I’m coming back here. My heart tells me that I will return because I want to train Newell’s.”
¡Hola Diego! pic.twitter.com/00b5sj4Vzd
— Newell’s Old Boys (@CANOBoficial) October 29, 2019
Gimnasia had only won one match since Maradona arrived in September, having previously coached Mexican side Dorados.
However, Maradona’s Gimnasia used a three-goal second half to stun Newell’s away from home in Rosario on Tuesday.
It secured back-to-back away wins for Gimnasia, who have collected seven points from 11 games this season following a winless start prior to Maradona’s appointment.
“I arrived and found a drained squad,” Maradona, who celebrates his 59th birthday on Wednesday, said. “And here, nobody beats me. I turned it around. He who does not want to train, will not play anymore. He who has pain, infiltrate.”
Maradona added: “Today we had no mistakes and my players covered all places for good Newell’s players and that’s why we won. This match was played wonderfully well.”
Victory against Newell’s elevated Gimnasia off the bottom of the Superliga table, as they jumped ahead of Godoy Cruz.
Their next match is at home against ninth-placed Estudiantes on Saturday before facing a trip to Aldosivi as they attempt to continue their momentum.
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