Maradona reveals Newell's dream after watching Gimnasia win from pitch-side throne

Diego Maradona watched on from a special armchair as Gimnasia y Esgrima La Plata routed former club Newell's Old Boys 4-0.

Argentine great Diego Maradona watches on from a throne pitchside as his club Gimnasia y Esgrima La Plata cruised to a 4-0 win on Tuesday.

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."

 

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, which has 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."