Diego Maradona extends contract with Gimnasia y Esgrima

News24
04 Jun 2020, 02:12 GMT+10

Argentina great Diego Maradona has signed a contract extension as coach of Gimnasia y Esgrima La Plata until the end of the 2021 season, the team announced on Wednesday.

Gimnasia paid tribute to the iconic former player and captain of the Argentina side that won the 1986 World Cup in Mexico, describing him as "God".

"For us you are one more Tripero and your heart is as blue and white as ours," said Gimnasia on social media, referring to the club's nickname, which means the gut-handlers, and the team's colors.

Maradona joined the first division strugglers in September 2019 and guided them to seven wins and eight defeats in 20 matches, with five draws.

He resigned in November but two days later changed his mind and announced he was returning.

Ultimately, they were saved from relegation by the coronavirus pandemic and the Argentine federation's decision to cancel the season.

Maradona, who will turn 60 in October, wrote on social media: "Today is the Wolf's birthday," referring to another of Gimnasia's nicknames.

Maradona's previous contract was due to run out in August but news of the new deal came on the day the club, one of the oldest in Argentina, celebrated its 133rd birthday.

Considered one of the greatest players of all time, Maradona's coaching career has not matched his playing exploits.

He led Argentina to the quarter-finals of the 2014 World Cup but since then has coached in the less glamorous environments of Al Fujairah in the UAE second division and Dorados in the Mexican second tier.

He is perhaps most famous, though, for his notorious "Hand of God" goal to knock England out of the 1986 World Cup.

Watch latest videos

News RELEASES

Publish news of your business, community or sports group, personnel appointments, major event and more by submitting a news release to Iraq Sun.

More Information

null in null

International

Section

Travelers can now keep shoes on at TSA checkpoints

WASHINGTON, D.C.: Travelers at U.S. airports will no longer need to remove their shoes during security screenings, Department of Homeland...

Rubio impersonator used AI to reach officials via Signal: cable

WASHINGTON, D.C.: An elaborate impersonation scheme involving artificial intelligence targeted senior U.S. and foreign officials in...

Warsaw responds to migration pressure with new border controls

SLUBICE, Poland: Poland reinstated border controls with Germany and Lithuania on July 7, following Germany's earlier reintroduction...

Deadly July 4 flash floods renew alarm over NWS staffing shortages

WASHINGTON, D.C.: After months of warnings from former federal officials and weather experts, the deadly flash floods that struck the...

Putin fires transport chief, later found dead in suspected suicide

MOSCOW, Russia: Just hours after his sudden dismissal by President Vladimir Putin, Russia's former transport minister, Roman Starovoit,...

Thousands gather in Himalayas as Dalai Lama celebrates 90th birthday

DHARAMSHALA, India: The Dalai Lama turned 90 on July 6, celebrated by thousands of followers in the Himalayan town of Dharamshala,...

Arab

Section

Saudi Aramco plans asset sales to raise billions, say sources

DUBAI, U.A.E.: Saudi Aramco is exploring asset sales as part of a broader push to unlock capital, with gas-fired power plants among...

Netanyahu vows 'No Hamas' in postwar Gaza amid peace talks

CAIRO, Egypt: This week, both Hamas and Israel shared their views ahead of expected peace talks about a new U.S.-backed ceasefire plan....

"Do not travel to Iran": US State Department warns Americans of travel risks

Washington, DC [US], July 11 (ANI): The US State Department has announced a new awareness campaign warning Americans, particularly...

"Very bad sign of things escalating in Canada, Carney's first major test on security": Canadian journalist on Kap's Cafe attack

Vancouver [Canada], July 11 (ANI): Canadian journalist Daniel Bordman called the attack on a cafe owned by comedian Kapil Sharma a...

SYRIA-LATAKIA-WILDFIRES

(250710) -- LATAKIA (SYRIA), July 10, 2025 (Xinhua) -- Photo taken with a mobile phone on July 10, 2025 shows burned trees in province...

Trailer for 'The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants' out now

Washington DC [US], July 10 (ANI): The makers have released the first trailer for their next cinematic, 'The Spongebob Movie: Search...