Diego Maradona has been hired to coach Mexican second-division football club Dorados, the team announced on Thursday.
It’s the latest foray into coaching for the controversial Argentine whose colorful career has included stints coaching the Argentine national team and a series of clubs around the world.
But after parting ways with coach Francisco Ramirez Gamez, Dorados managed to convince Maradona to sign up for a spell in Mexico.
“Dorados of Sinaloa is pleased to announce Diego Armando Maradona is the new manager of the ‘Big Fish,’” the club said in a statement.
“Considered by many to be the best footballer of all time, Diego was known in his playing career for leading teams with guts and fight to carry them to successes that few believed possible,” it said.
The club wants Maradona, 57, to stay for the remainder of the 2018 season and all of next season, Dorados president Jorgealberto Hank Inzunza told ESPN.
“In my conversations with him he’s been very excited to come coach here. Honestly, it was easier to convince him than I thought,” he said.
The club first confirmed rumors of Maradona’s hiring with a brief video posted online.
“Diego, welcome to the Big Fish!” said a message accompanying the video.
Dorados are currently in 13th place in their 15-team league, and is located on Mexico’s Pacific coast, home to several famous beach resorts and the drug cartel of the same name, founded by jailed kingpin Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman.
