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

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (AP) -Ramon Diaz has taken over as coach of River Plate, assuming 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 team flirts with relegation.

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

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

Diaz won seven titles as coach in two stints with River more than a decade ago - five league titles, the Copa Libertadores and the South American Supercup.