Diego sacked as national coach after calling the bluff of the football authorities
e called their bluff, and lost. Diego Maradona is no longer coach of Argentina after the Argentine Football Association (AFA) terminated his contract following comments made by Maradona during a characteristically colourful television interview earlier in the week.
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"If they [AFA] touch a hair of one of my guys, even if it's the masseur or the kitman, I'm going," Maradona warned, adding: "I want to continue the adventure but not with anyone. I chose these people. I want to continue working with them."
That ultimatum, even coming from a national icon like Maradona, was too much for the AFA and they voted unanimously not to renew his contract. glory in 1986, took over the reins of the national side in 2008 and despite suffering a humiliating 6-1 thrashing at the hands of Bolivia early on, soon used his charisma and irrepressible optimism to transform Argentina's fortunes.
The 49-year Mmaradona, who captained Argentina to World Cup
Among Maradona's more idiosyncratic touches was his insistence on kissing his players before they ran out on to the field, something which delighted fans but not all the players. Manchester City striker Carlos Tevez for one was seen swerving out of the way to avoid one of Maradona's smackers during the World Cup.
Yet it appeared that Maradona's inimitable style of coach was working as Argentina cruised into the quarter-final of the World Cup with many people tipping them as favourites. But then they met the well-organised Germans and were thrashed 4-0, a defeat Maradona described as "the hardest thing I've experienced... like a punch from Muhammad Ali." Argentina suddenly looked tactically inept, devoid of a plan B and Maradona, for all his exuberant theatrics on the sidelines, appeared clueless as to how to counter Germany. Like other great sportsmen who turn their hand to coaching, Maradona found it hard to understand that few men are blessed with sporting genius.
Maradona returned to Argentina insisting he wanted to continue as coach but the AFA were said to be keen for a backroom shake-up, in particular the removal of one of Maradona's assistants, defensive coach (and former Argentina defender) Oscar Ruggeri.
AFA President Julio Grondona had made no secret of his wish to axe Ruggeri, but Maradona refused to comply with the request during a meeting with Grondona and that stubbornness has cost him his job.
The current Under-20 coach Sergio Batista – a member of the 1986 World Cup-winning squad - has been named caretaker boss and will select the side to face the Republic of Ireland next month in Dublin. It is believed a full-time appointment will be made in time for Argentina's game against Spain in September.