BSP-08 Maradona returns as coach of Argentina’s Gimnasia two days after leaving

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ZCZC

BSP-08

FBL-ARG-MARADONA

Maradona returns as coach of Argentina’s Gimnasia two days after leaving

BUENOS AIRES, Nov 22, 2019 (BSS/AFP) – Argentine legend Diego Maradona
announced on Thursday he would return as coach of Superliga side Gimnasia,
just two days after resigning.

“I am very happy to be able to announce that I will remain coach of
Gimnasia,” he wrote on social media, noting that his about-face comes after
“we finally achieved political unity in the club.”

Maradona had explained he was no longer keen on remaining at the club after
its president Gabriel Pellegrino, the man who brought him back to Argentine
football, pulled out of running for re-election as the side’s president next
Saturday.

However, thousands of supporters demonstrated in front of its headquarters
demanding that he return to his post.

The 59-year-old former Argentina captain and coach took over at Gimnasia in
early September, when it was bottom of the 24-club Superliga.

“I hope (the leaders) will provide reinforcements they promised me,”
Maradona wrote.

The World Cup winner was hailed as a hero on his return to Argentine
football after years coaching abroad but he had a limited impact in La Plata.

Gimnasia won three of its eight matches with him in charge, all of them
away, while they lost five, four of them at home.

BSS/AFP/GMR/0913 hrs