Diego Maradona has taken many risks, not least with his life, through years of drug and alcohol addiction. Taking the job of Argentina coach represents another colossal gamble because at stake is his popularity in his native country.

Maradona, who is due to be confirmed in charge of the national side next week, is a living legend whose every flirtation with death and disaster fills the newspapers and airwaves of Argentina. Now the man who lifted the World Cup in 1986, having punched the ball into England's net on the way, is about to open himself up to a new level of scrutiny by trying to revive Argentina's 2010 World Cup qualifying campaign.

It was, perhaps, concern at what could happen to Maradona's reputation that resulted in mixed reactions to his imminent appointment, with online polls in La Nación and Clarín, the national newspapers, putting disapproval at more than 70 per cent.

Among the doubts expressed is the fear that Maradona will not be stable enough to cope with the pressure, but he has been in good health in the past year, keeping appointments and fulfilling commitments, including an appearance in May at the Cannes premiere of a documentary about his life.

He insists that he has not taken drugs for four years and has stopped drinking to excess, although he is still regularly concealed by a huge cloud of cigar smoke. He claims that his only addiction now is to his two daughters.

In another twist to what is bound to become a fascinating soap opera, Giannina, Maradona's youngest daughter, is the partner of Sergio Agüero, the Atlético Madrid and Argentina striker. She is due to give birth to their baby next year.

Maradona, whose two brief, unsuccessful dabbles in club coaching were quickly curtailed, has often talked of wanting to take over the national team, but no one thought that the Argentine federation would take the risk with such a controversial, unpredictable character. Maradona was suspended for 15 months in 1991 after testing positive for cocaine and was sent home from the 1994 World Cup when a drugs test revealed traces of ephedrine, a banned stimulant.

However, Alfio Basile, the previous coach, resigned a fortnight ago after defeat by Chile left Argentina in third place in the qualifying group after ten matches, seven points adrift of Paraguay, the leaders. There are eight games left to secure a place in the top four of ten teams, but Maradona will need to galvanise some listless players.

“I think we must make the players understand that our shirt is the most important thing, that they cannot exchange money for glory,” Maradona, who is 48 today, said. “I think they have given this to me at the right moment.” His first job may be smoothing over problems with Lionel Messi, the brilliant Barcelona forward, whom he recently criticised for being selfish.

Maradona will be assisted by Carlos Bilardo, who guided Argentina to World Cup finals in 1986 and 1990, but who has mostly been working as a radio pundit in recent years. As well as El Narigón - or “Big Nose”, as Bilardo is affectionately known - Maradona will be helped by Pedro Troglio, a former Argentina team-mate.

It is not clear what role Maradona will have when Argentina travel to Hampden Park next month for a friendly match, but it is fitting that Scotland should mark the start of his new adventure. In June 1979, aged 18, he scored his first goal for his country in Glasgow, outwitting a defence that included Alan Hansen. It was the start of something very special.