Diaz says he's glad to be back at River Plate

Ramon Diaz started work as coach of River Plate on Friday, taking on a tension-filled job with fans expecting quick results from the former striker who is returning for the third time as coach.

The heat will also be on club president Daniel Passarella, who named Diaz coach on Thursday, a day after Matias Alymeda stepped down as the famous Buenos Aires club flirts with relegation.

Diaz and Passarella were teammates at River and with Argentina's national team in the late 1970s and early `80s.

Introduced by Passarella, Diaz suggested he would like to have returned sooner, but was happy to be back.

''If I were Passarella, I would have called earlier,'' Diaz said speaking with reporters and Passarella at a news conference on Friday.

Diaz won seven trophies in two coaching stints at River Plate more than a decade ago - five league titles, the Copa Libertadores and the South American Supercup.

A headline Friday in the Clarin newspaper summed up the mood: ''Ramon's Back and River Dreams.''

Diaz said he had wanted to return for several years, and said he understood the responsibility of being River's coach.

''I've wanted to come back for a long time,'' Diaz said. ''It's a special day for me, for my family. ... I know what River means, what it means to coach here. ... River has to win every time it plays.''

Diaz said he was able to reach an agreement with Passarella over his contract in just a few minutes. Reports said the deal was for one year. Diaz did not mention terms.

''I think around here it's not so much about the money,'' Diaz said. ''Rather, it's about feelings; what one feels for this club, for this shirt. I've been in this club for many years. I know most of the people. I am very pleased, very happy to be back. I think the fans are excited, very content with my return.''

River has won a record 33 league titles - nine more that Buenos Aires rival Boca Juniors - but has slipped badly in recent seasons and was relegated to the second division for the first time in its history in June 2011.

Alyemda got the club back to the top-flight to start this season, but it lingers in the middle of the standings - still vulnerable to relegation - with two rounds to play in the first half of Argentina's split season.

Reserve team coach Gustavo Zapata will be in charge of the team this weekend against Lanus with Diaz taking over against San Martin in the final match of the season.

Diaz said the team needed to add depth and talent, but didn't drop names.

''We want important additions,'' he said.

Passarella repeated several times that Almeyda left the club by ''mutual consent,'' and he lauded the former defensive midfielder for his dedication to River.

''The best for River was that Matias should go,'' Passarella said. ''Many newspapers, etc. etc. said that Matias Almeyda was fired by River. To me, these are lies.''

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