Brazilian soccer legend Pele said on Wednesday that Diego Maradona, who is expected to be named as coach of the Argentine team, has no experience but will be helped by assistant coach Carlos Billardo.

"Diego has the utmost respect for his assistant coach Billardo. Billardo was the head coach of the World Cup winning Argentinean team in 1986. The experience of Billardo is what will help the Argentines to victory, not the image of Maradona," Pele said.

Pele also refuted any ideas of him assuming the role as head coach of the Brazilian national team. Over the past decade, he has received innumerous proposals to coach a variety of national teams throughout the globe.

(Xinhua News Agency October 30, 2008)