Argentinian legend Diego Maradona should be named coach of the national side after a meeting with Argentinian Football Association (AFA) president Julio Grondona.
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Diego Maradona will be confirmed as the new Argentina coach next Tuesday, according to Argentina Football Association secretary Luis Segura.
Argentina have been without a coach since Alfio Basile stepped down for personal reasons on October 16, after mounting pressure, and increasing criticism.
Despite speculation that competition for the job came from Carlos Bianchi, the successful former coach of Boca Juniors, San Lorenzo coach Miguel Angel Russo and Sergio Batista who took the squad to Olympic gold in Beijing in August. Segura has said Maradona has little coaching experience, having been in charge of Deportivo Mandiyu for two months in 1994 and Racing Club for four months in 1995. The man who is considered by many as the best player there has ever been, is also rather outspoken, and not adverse to controversy.
Recently after returning to better health, there have been few negative stories surrounding the former Albiceleste skipper.
Always one to wear his heart on his sleeve, and show his immense passion – Maradona is now famous for wearing his Argentina and Boca Juniors Shirts to games and singing, shouting and dancing with the rest of the fans.
El Diego has said “My job will be watching the players and picking up the ones who are in the best form.”
Maradona faces the task of helping Argentina improve their form with the Albicelestes, who have taken just one win from their last seven World Cup qualifiers leaving them third in the South American Zone.
“I am sure the guys and Argentinian football will pull through.
“I think we must make the players understand that our shirt is the most important thing, that they cannot exchange money for glory.
“We have enough quality to calm the nation.
“The road to the World Cup is not easy, but I believe in the Argentinian players.”
The Legend will no doubt cause some division, but will be loved to the Argentine fans, and many will feel they have a fan at the helm, he surmised…
“Everybody wants to play at the World Cup but we must show our traditions and our style on the field.”
“I believe there will not be anymore meetings with the other candidates.”
But the secretary did confirm Sergio Batista will be in charge for the November 19 friendly against Scotland, not the former World Player of the Year.
