UPDATE 3-Soccer-Argentina poised to gamble on Maradona

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By Brian Homewood

BUENOS AIRES, Oct 28 (Reuters) - Diego Maradona said on Tuesday he was on the brink of being named Argentina coach.

Carlos Bilardo, who was in charge of the 1986 World Cup-winning team captained by Maradona, is expected to be part of the two-time world champions' new coaching staff.

"It's a bit early for congratulations but it's an idea which seduces me," Maradona told the Fox Sports cable television channel after meeting with Bilardo and Argentina Football Association (AFA) president Julio Grondona.

"We will continue talking tomorrow," he said in a telephone interview.

The appointment of the explosive Maradona, one of the game's greatest players and also one of its most volatile, would appear to be a huge gamble by the AFA.

Maradona, who since retirement has been treated for drug addiction, obesity and alcohol-induced liver disease, has had only two brief stints as a coach in the 1990s with Deportivo Mandiyu and Racing Club. Both spells were undistinguished.

"The idea is to start working immediately after the official announcement with the players who are in Argentina and then take the first plane to talk to the ones in Europe," he said.