Maradona says time for Sanchez to coach Mexico

MEXICO CITY, Nov 11 (Reuters) Former Argentina captain Diego Maradona said it was time for former Real Madrid striker Hugo Sanchez, considered Mexico's best-ever player, to coach the national team.

On a visit to Mexico 20 years after lifting the World Cup there, Maradona said yesterday Sanchez was the ideal candidate to put together a Mexican squad capable of succeeding on the world stage, where they have been constant under performers.

''The time has come for Hugo,'' Maradona said. ''For me, in my way of seeing things, he is the number one candidate.'' Mexico's soccer federation is only days away from picking a new coach to replace Argentine Ricardo La Volpe, who stood down after the World Cup in Germany.

Americo Gallego, another Argentine and currently the coach of Mexican club Toluca, and Sanchez are the favourites for the job.

Sanchez, who won five consecutive league titles with Real Madrid in the 1980s alongside the likes of Emilio Butragueno and Michel, currently coaches Necaxa.

Sanchez, who was five times the top scorer in Spain's Primera Liga, and La Volpe often traded barbs when the Argentine headed Mexico's national team, with the outspoken striker openly saying he wanted La Volpe's job.

REUTERS AY HS1056