MADRID, Spain (AP):

NEW ARGENTINA coach Diego Maradona arrived in Madrid yesterday to assess the form of the European-based players he hopes will help the country qualify for the 2010 World Cup.

Maradona arrived at Madrid's international airport to a throng of chanting fans. The 48-year-old Maradona said he felt "very good as new coach" but declined to speak at length to reporters, blaming fatigue from the long flight. Maradona and new Argentina manager Carlos Bilardo then ducked into a taxi to head to their hotel in the Spanish capital.

Maradona's first stop on a European tour was yesterday's Champions League match between Real Madrid and Juventus. Madrid fielded three Argentine internationals in midfielder Fernando Gago, defender Gabriel Heinze and striker Gonzalo Higuain, although the latter was not included in Maradona's selected squad for his first match, a November 19 friendly against Scotland at Glasgow.

Expecting child

Maradona, who was officially named manager on Tuesday, is expected to meet with the three Madrid players as well as Atletico Madrid's Argentine internationals - striker Sergio Aguero, midfielder Maxi Rodriguez and goalkeeper Leo Franco. Aguero is expecting a child with Maradona's daughter Giannina.

Maradona is expected to travel to Barcelona tomorrow before continuing on to Manchester, England, and Munich, Germany.

He replaced Alfio Basile, who stepped down on October 16, a day after an historic 1-0 loss against neighbours Chile in World Cup qualifying. Argentina are third in South American World Cup qualifying ahead of the next qualifier against Venezuela in March.