Diego Maradona opens up on cocaine hell as he’s unveiled as new manager of Mexican side Dorados

DIEGO MARADONA has opened up on the cocaine hell he lived for 14 years as he was unveiled as the new manager of Mexican side Dorados.

The 57-year-old has struggled with drug addiction and alcoholism “sickness” and recalled how his daughter once woke him from a coma.

Maradona struck fear into the hearts of fans at the World Cup this summer when he was filmed on the brink of collapse during Argentina’s win over Nigeria.

Reports then falsely claimed he had died after being rushed to hospital but the World Cup winner later issued a statement revealing he was fine.

Now the global icon is adamant he is ready to start a clean life – despite settling in at a club in a region known for its drug cartel activities.

Maradona, who is tasked with getting Dorados to the top flight from the second division, said: “I want to give Dorados what I lost when I was sick. I was sick for 14 years. Now I want to see the sun, I want to go to bed at night.

“I never even used to go to bed. I didn’t even know what a pillow was. That’s why I accepted the offer from Dorados.

“I’m taking on this responsibility as if it were a new child.

“Ever since I kicked my illness, when I was wasting away… I want to explain to you that when I was using I was falling apart.

“It was a step backwards and a footballer always has to go forward. That all stopped thanks to my daughters.

“I was left without a cent, I went back to work, my youngest daughter, who was four, convinced me, she said I had experienced things with Dalma and not with her.

“When I was in a coma and she touched my bedsheet to wake me up.

“Then I came out, and like everybody we are judged and we think we hold the truth, I wonder how many people there are here who have done worse things than us and they have not made the papers. I am here to work.

“I am here to give my heart like I did in Fujairah, where I drove 300 kilometres a day to work. When you put down that the club has no titles, make sure you put in the promotion.”

Maradona, who has was referring to his time in charge of Emirati side Fujairah, has also managed Argentina as well as Al Wasl.

He was just last month shown flashing his nipples to fans of Dynamo Brest, the Belarussian club of which he is chairman.