BUENOS AIRES - FORMER defender Oscar Ruggeri on Thursday tried to defuse the row which has erupted over Argentina coach Diego Maradona's wish to appoint him as assistant.

Maradona has reportedly run into a deadlock with Argentina Football Association (AFA) president Julio Grondona over Ruggeri's possible appointment and even threatened to resign on Wednesday, according to widespread media speculation.

The volatile 48-year-old, due to take charge of his first match in next Wednesday's friendly in Scotland, has only been at the helm for 10 days.

Ruggeri told Maradona on Thursday to travel to Scotland and not to worry about it.

'I want him to travel, to coach the team and we'll speak again,' the rugged former defender told the cable television channel TyC Sports.

'I would be delighted to help but, if not, I will support him from the sidelines as I have always done.'

Grondona has publicly voiced his opposition to Ruggeri, citing personal differences.

Ruggeri retorted: 'Once he has chosen the coach, he should give him the freedom to pick his own staff.'

Critics see the row as the worst possible start and a foretaste of what may be to come with the notoriously unpredictable former World Cup captain at the helm.

The choice of Maradona's assistant has already turned into a saga.

Before being officially confirmed, Maradona said that his former 1986 World Cup team mates Sergio Batista and Jose Luis Brown would share the job.

But he back-tracked and said that Ruggeri was top of his list.

Argentine media said on Thursday that Miguel Angel Lemme and Alejandro Mancuso would take on the role on an interim basis for next Wednesday. -- REUTERS