The Argentinian Football Association (AFA) have confirmed Diego Maradona as the new head coach of the national team. The appointment was ratified by the AFA board at a meeting in Buenos Aires today.

The 48-year-old replaces Alfio Basile, who stepped down from the post for personal reasons on October 16.

It has been widely reported that Maradona will sign a contract until the end of the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, assuming the team qualify.

Maradona's first game at the helm will be against Scotland at Glasgow's Hampden Park on November 19th.

AFA president Julio Grondona has also appointed Carlos Bilardo as the technical secretary of the national teams.

Bilardo was Argentina coach when Maradona skippered the side to World Cup glory in 1986, and will work closely with his former player in the new set-up.

Maradona wasted little time putting his stamp on affairs, confirming he wants Liverpool midfielder Javier Mascherano to be his new skipper.

However, two high-profile players did miss out on a place in Maradona's inaugural 20-man selection, with Inter Milan midfielder Esteban Cambiasso and Getafe goalkeeper Roberto Abbondanzieri failing to get the nod.

Maradona's wish to make Mascherano his captain appears to be his strongest statement of intent, with the combative 24-year old set to wrest the armband from the vastly experienced Javier Zanetti.

"I want Mascherano to be my captain because I believe he is the Argentinian player who is closest to the idea I have about the Argentinian shirt — sweat for it, sacrifice for it, being a professional, being close to the team-mate," he said.

"I will convince him. He will be my captain."

Star playmaker Lionel Messi has not been called up due to an agreement between the AFA and Barcelona president Joan Laporta, after the Spanish giants released him to play the Olympic Games in Beijing earlier this year.

Mascherano will be joined in Maradona's first squad by Newcastle pair Fabricio Coloccini and Jonas Gutierrez and Manchester United forward Carlos Tevez.