Maradona’s Son Takes Over Fifth-Division Club in the Canary Islands

The son of legendary footballer Diego Maradona has become the boss of a fifth-division side in the Canary Islands as the relegation-threatened club look to turn their season around.

Diego Maradona Junior was born in 1986 when the World Cup-winning Argentine conducted an extramarital affair with Italian model Cristina Sinagra.

The legend, who died in November 2020 at the age of 60, only formally recognised his eldest son in 2016. Diego Jr missed his father’s funeral after he tested postive for Covid.

The 38-year-old had a playing career as a midfielder in Italy before retiring and becoming manager of amateur side Napoli United. He left his position as boss of Italian regional league club Montecalcio earlier this week.

Diego Jr has already found another job in football after being confirmed as the new head coach of UD Ibarra, a Tenerife team currently langushing towards the bottom of the fifth tier of Spanish football with seven points from seven matches, The Sun reports.

Diego Maradona Junior was born in 1986 when the World Cup-winning Argentine conducted an extramarital affair

Maradona’s infamous ‘hand of God’ goal against England in the quarter-finals of the 1986 World Cup is one of the most iconic moments in football history

Announcing the appointment, the club said: ‘We are pleased to present Diego Armando Maradona Jr, who will form part of the coaching staff.

‘Welcome and every success in your new home.’

Diego Jr revealed the news on his Instagram and posted some kind messages from fans of the club including one which said: ‘Hopefully you can put Ibarra where it belongs.’

UD Ibarra was established in 1969 and boasts a 3-000 seater ground in Arona, southern Tenerife.

They were in the fourth tier between 2012 and 2021, finishing as high as fourth in 2016-17. 

Earlier this month it was revealed that Diego Sr’s body would be moved to a new public memorial in a historic part of Buenos Aires after a judge allowed his corpse to be exhumed.

The Argentinian legend has been buried in the Jardin Bella Vista cemetery since he died four years ago following a heart attack in his home.

His children have been planning to create a dedicated mausoleum since 2021 and hope to have it ready by next year in the Puerto Madero neighbourhood.

Maradona’s infamous ‘hand of God’ goal against England in the quarter-finals of the 1986 World Cup is one of the most iconic moments in football history, while his second goal in that game was voted ‘goal of the century’.

Maradona lit up the 1986 World Cup and scored two goals in a famous match against England

The legend, who died in November 2020 at the age of 60, only formally recognised his eldest son in 2016

Maradona’s last words before he died were ‘I feel sick,’ as he told his nephew.

After his death three days of mourning were declared by then-Argentinian president Alberto Fernandez.

Thousands of mourners poured onto the streets of Buenos Aires and Naples in Italy to honour Maradona as stadiums across Europe fell silent ahead of Champions League clashes after he passed away.