Maradona accepts new role at Boca

Maradona is a former Boca player

Diego Maradona has accepted an invitation to become a director at Argentine club Boca Juniors.

Club president Mauricio Macri said Maradona would take over as football vice-president in August.

"He will take part, give his opinion, help us run the professional squad," said Macri of the troubled 44-year-old.

Maradona has made a good recovery after undergoing drug rehabilitation last year and a gastric bypass operation in Colombia in March.

Boca Juniors are currently looking for a new coach after Jorge Benitez was sacked for spitting at Guadalajara forward Adolfo Bautista during a Libertadores Cup tie last week.

Former Argentina manager Alfio Basile Maradona's choice, while Julio Falcioni, currently in charge of unfashionable Banfield, former Argentina coach Marcelo Bielsa and Uruguay's Jorge Fossati are among the other candidates.

Maradona had two spells as a player at Boca and supported the club as a boy.