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Argentina icon Diego Maradona welcomed with a 'throne' by former club before inflicting heavy defeat

Diego Maradona was given royal treatment as he returned to former club Newell’s Old Boys as manager of Gimnasia La Plata.

The Buenos Aires-born icon made a small number of appearances for the club from the Argentinian first division during the 1993/94 season, towards the end of his career.

Returning as a manager for the first time, the World Cup winner was handed a hero’s welcome as Newell’s laid out a throne for Maradona to manage from.

READ MORE: Maradona reveals dream to coach Newell's after thrashing them with Gimnasia

ROSARIO, ARGENTINA - OCTOBER 29: Diego Armando Maradona coach of Gimnasia waiting for the start of  a match between Newell's Old Boys and Gimnasia y Esgrima La Plata at Marcelo Bielsa Stadium on October 29, 2019 in Rosario, Argentina. (Photo by Luciano Bisbal/Getty Images)
Maradona on his throne, as presented by hosts Newell's (Photo by Luciano Bisbal/Getty Images)

The home team’s hospitality clearly backfired as the 59-year-old’s Gimnasia side emerged with a shock 4-0 win from their clash at the Estadio Marcelo Bielsa.

Fans of the hosts even serenaded Maradona outside the Rosario hotel in which he was staying before the match, as he joined along and danced for the crowd.

ROSARIO, ARGENTINA - OCTOBER 29: Newell's fans honored Diego Armando Maradona with a flag during a match between Newell's Old Boys and Gimnasia y Esgrima La Plata at Marcelo Bielsa Stadium on October 29, 2019 in Rosario, Argentina. (Photo by Luciano Bisbal/Getty Images)
Newell's fans also honoured Maradona with a flag. (Photo by Luciano Bisbal/Getty Images)
ROSARIO, ARGENTINA - OCTOBER 29: Diego Armando Maradona coach of Gimnasia receive a reminder plate before a match between Newell's Old Boys and Gimnasia y Esgrima La Plata at Marcelo Bielsa Stadium on October 29, 2019 in Rosario, Argentina. (Photo by Luciano Bisbal/Getty Images)
The Argentina icon was also subject of a presentation. (Photo by Luciano Bisbal/Getty Images)

After arriving at the ground, Maradona, who celebrates his birthday on Wednesday, signed his ‘throne’ before blowing kisses to the home fans and settling down for kick off.

His struggling Gimnasia side then caused an upset as they inflicted what was only Newell’s second defeat of the season.

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