Diego Maradona will be a success as Argentina manager because he was ''the real coach'' during his glory years as a player at Napoli, the former chairman of the Naples club said Wednesday.
Corrado Ferlaino said the Argentine legend effectively took up the reins of the team a year after joining Napoli from Barcelona in 1984.
''From the second year on the players weren't talking to (coach Ottavio) Bianchi so Maradona became the real coach,'' Ferlaino said in a radio interview with Italian public broadcaster RAI.
''He was a coach on the field,'' Ferlaino said, inspiring the players to win Napoli's first ever league title in 1987, an Italian Cup the same year and the UEFA Cup in 1989.
Even when Bianchi was replaced as manager by Alberto Bigon in 1989, Maradona continued to be the driving force, Ferlaino said.
''Bigon was more of a trainer than a coach, allowing Maradona to carry on as effective player-manager''.
Napoli won its second scudetto in 1990, as well as an Italian Supercup, before a drugs scandal forced Maradona to flee Italy.
Ferlaino wished Maradona well in his new job, saying he was ''sure'' he would succeed because ''he's got a great footballing brain''.
Maradona's former clubmate Salvatore Bagni said ''Diego has all it takes to make a success of being a coach too''.
''He has charisma, personality and is someone who can handle problems,'' said the former Italy midfielder, now a RAI pundit.
''One thing is certain: he doesn't really like just taking part, he plays to win''.
Bianchi, the coach Maradona allegedly usurped, also wished his ex-player well.
''It makes everyone happy to see a champion like Diego not only in good health but also happy,'' he said.
Maradona, who will be 48 on Thursday, was appointed as Argentina coach on Tuesday.
The striker, regarded as the world's all-time best along with Pele', played for Napoli 188 times between 1984 and 1991 and scored 81 goals.
He is still an idol in the southern Italian city.
Maradona turned out for his country 91 times between 1977 and 1994, scoring 34 goals.
He led Argentina to World Cup victory in 1986, scoring two of soccer's most famous goals against England along the way - one with his supreme dribbling skills and one with the 'Hand of God'.
