GLASGOW, Scotland — Diego Maradona showed the confidence and impudence he has long been known for when he insisted Tuesday that he felt no pressure as he tried to reinvent himself as a world-class coach with Argentina.

Few players have managed to follow a stellar playing career with a successful stint in coaching, with Bobby Charlton and Dino Zoff among the greats to have failed. But Maradona appeared undaunted as he held his first news conference as Argentina coach, saying he wants to turn his group of underachieving players into World Cup winners.

"I don't feel any pressure whatsoever," Maradona said through a translator. "If I hadn't accepted that offer, I would be a coward. I need the Argentine side and the Argentina side possibly needs someone to guide them, someone to help them and now we're on the road together."

Maradona was offered the national team despite a lack of coaching experience and suggestions that he will find it difficult to translate his genius on the field into leadership off it. Citing Netherlands great Johan Cruyff as an example, Maradona said he can do it, starting with a friendly against Scotland on Wednesday at Hampden Park.

"Cruyff showed in his time in Barcelona that that can be possible," Maradona said.

Maradona, who won the 1986 World Cup, was reminded that Argentina had not finished in the top four of a World Cup since 1990 — when he was on the team that lost in the final to West Germany.

Maradona said that "the only objective we have with this group of players is to finish first. That's got to be the aim and objective of Argentina."

But the 48-year-old former playmaker, who almost single-handedly led Argentina to the second of its World Cup titles in 1986, did not go into specifics when asked what he will do differently to his predecessor Alfio Basile.

"A lot needs to change, not only in terms of tactics and playing staff, the approach to a certain extent," Maradona said. "What I really want to achieve is that the players are happy. I want to make sure the players are happy to wear the shirt of Argentina and that they are happy to be part of that set up."

Maradona suggested that Lionel Messi, the latest player touted as the "new Maradona" while wearing the famous blue and white No. 10 shirt, will have a crucial role in his team's reinvention. Fans and observers will have to wait to see exactly what that role is, since Maradona agreed with Barcelona not to pick the striker for friendly matches.

"He needs to have freedom," Maradona said. "We know he can convert chances, but what I want to see more of from Lionel Messi is him featuring all over the park. As well as finishing off chances, I want to see him creating with his great passing."