Are you serious?!
This was the first question most people asked upon learning that one of the most controversial players to ever play the game is about to land the head coaching job for the Argentina World Cup Team.
According to that AFA, it sounds like the deal is pretty much done. The Vice President of the Argentinian Football Association’s national team secretary Luis Segura said Tuesday that ”the appointment will be official when the AFA’s Committee approves it. And the next meeting is scheduled for next Tuesday. I believe there will not be any more meetings with the other candidates.”
Now I know Maradona is widely considered one of the best players to ever play the game (or the best ever if you’re from Argentina), he led Argentina to a World Cup title in 1986, won the golden boot for the same World Cup, was voted by fans along with Pele as the FIFA Player of the Century, and much more. What about his coaching experience?
Well, so far he has two months as the coach of Deportivo Mandiyu 1994 and Racing Club for four months in 1995. Hardly the resume one would seek for such a prestigious position as the head of one of the World’s strongest sides.
Maradona told FOX Sports: ”The offer from Julio Grondona attracted me a lot. As soon as it is confirmed, I will start working, but I can say I am very proud.
”I’m putting everything aside for this. There is nothing that can make me look past the national team. Today my path is the national team, my task is to talk to the players and build a solid group.
”I am sure the guys and Argentinian football will pull through. think we must make the players understand that our shirt is the most important thing, that they cannot exchange money for glory.
”Glory is much more than money. I know they know that, but we must make them remember that every day. We have enough quality to calm the nation. The road to the World Cup is not easy, but I believe in the Argentinian players.
”Everybody wants to play at the World Cup but we must show our traditions and our style on the field.”
Currently Argentina is 7th overall in the FIFA World Rankings. It will be interesting to see what the great Maradona can do with such a strong team.
