Maradona Takes Over Argentina
Striker Legend Head Coach for Former World Champions
Diego Armando Maradona guided Argentina as player to the 1986 World Cup title and 1990 World Cup final. Now Argentina fans hope the legend can bring the Albiceleste back to the promised land as new coach.
Maradona Replaces Alfio Basile
Maradona comes in to replace Alfio Basile, who stepped down as Argentina boss after his team's 1-0 loss to Chile on October 15 in the 2010 World Cup qualification. Argentina kicked off the South American qualifying campaign with three straight wins but has won just once in the past seven contests.
With 16 points, Argentina is ranked third in the South America group seven points behind surprise leaders Paraguay but more importantly three points clear of fifth place - which would mean an extra qualifier against a Concacaf nation.
No Coaching Experience
Despite no coaching experience, Maradona suggested himself as a candidate to replace Basile as boss of the two-time world champions. And the Argentina soccer federation chief Julio Grondona elected to pick Maradona over other competition which included Carlos Bianchi, the former coach of Boca Juniors, whom he led to four national league titles; San Lorenzo coach Miguel Angel Russo and Sergio Batista who guided the Argentine Under-23 squad to Olympic gold in Beijing.
Maradona Will Work With Former Coach
Maradona, who turns 48 on Thursday, will be joined in his duties by Carlos Bilardo, who coached the Argentina national team from 1983 to 1990 and led it to the 1986 World Cup title and the 1990 World Cup final - both with Maraona as a player.
"Grondola's ideas are the same as mine and Bilardo's. My job will be to go and watch the players as often as possible. The idea is to return the squad to the spirit of 1986," Maradona told the French news agency AFP.
Argentina Fans Waiting A Long Time
The proud soccer nation has been waiting since 1986 to celebrate its third world title following the crowns in 1978 and 1986. The Albiceleste has been unable to advance past the quarterfinals in each of the past four World Cups, including the embarrassing first round departure from South Korea and Japan in 2002.
Great Comeback
The Buenos Aires native is probably best known for his "Hand of God" goal in the 1986 World Cup quarterfinals against England. But he has also had to recover from personal problems including cocaine addiction and alcohol abuse. But in May 2007 he told Argentine television that he was clean of both drugs.
What do you think about this article?
Latest Articles