Maradona to manage Argentina?

[dww]

Anyone else seen the news that Maradonna is to be Argentina manager?

I heard a rumour a while back but if it is true it seems like madness.

[Mike]

Mascherano has backed him to be the next manager.

[Joe King]

Yep, I heard it on World Football on 5 Live, very weird.

You can expect Kun to play every game

[Joe King]

Just seeing the usual sources, there are conflicting stories. One story is that he will be assistant manager and the other is that he has been offered the managers role. Watch this space.

[Shaggy]

What a calamity that will be if he gets the job.

[Red_Polo]

****ting Christ.

Sure to be inept.

[-V-]

Nothing official has came out yet except just Maradona claiming he's been offered the job. He could just be high.

But then who are we to criticize such an appointment. It may seem mad but he is one of the greatest ever players and has played at all levels. Im sure he is capable of picking the best players and inspiring them and thats what matters in International football. Tactically we can't tell how he will be but if he can inspire them to play beautiful football then why not?

[Red_Polo]

Nothing official has came out yet except just Maradona claiming he's been offered the job. He could just be high.

I have to say, I kind of agree with you about it being different as an international manager - he could pick the best players, motivate them, and with the quality they've got they could do very well indeed. Thing is though he is an absolute headcase and you just don't know what to expect from him. Imagine him taking training!

[Darkon]

****ting Christ.

Sure to be inept.

Thats exactly what I thought when I heard the news.

He doesen't strike me as having any managerial potential whatsoever.

[Shaggy]

It's like England appointing Paul Gascoigne.

[Mike]

Argentina legend Diego Maradona is set for a sensational return to football as the coach of his national side.

He will be appointed the new Argentina coach on Tuesday, according to Luis Segura, secretary of the Argentine FA.

The 1986 World Cup-winning skipper has had only two brief spells as a coach in Argentina, but is understood to be the leading candidate for the post.

The 47-year-old said: "The offer attracted me a lot. As soon as it is confirmed I will start working."

If Maradona does take over he will succeed Alfio Basile, who resigned earlier this month after a World Cup qualifying defeat to Chile.

"The idea is to start working immediately after the official announcement, with the players who are in Argentina," Maradona was quoted as saying. "And then take the first plane to talk to the ones in Europe."

Segura said: "The appointment will be official when the Argentine Football Association 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," he added.

Segura confirmed Argentine Under-20 coach Sergio Batista will be in charge for the friendly against Scotland at Hampden on 19 November.

Widely regarded as one of the best players in the history of the sport, Maradona is an iconic figure in Argentina.

In his remarkable 21-year playing career he hit new heights of brilliance on the field, yet plumbed depths of despair away off it.

After making his professional debut as a 16-year-old for Argentinos Juniors, he went on to play for his beloved Boca Juniors before spells in Europe with Barcelona, Napoli and Sevilla.

Maradona's unique skills with the ball at his feet made him a superstar, and he is idolised by Napoli fans for almost single-handedly winning the Serie A title and the Uefa Cup for the unfashionable club.

But his most memorable achievements came with the national side - the 1986 World Cup tournament becoming synonymous with his name.
Maradona captained Argentina to a famous triumph, playing every minute of the tournament and scoring five goals, including two against England in the quarter-final that will live forever in football folklore.

His first goal of the 2-1 win came courtesy of an outrageous handball which he later described as "the hand of God", but the second is said by many to be the best goal ever scored; Maradona danced past five England players before poking the ball past Peter Shilton.

But Maradona's life away from football has been anything but straightforward, with a long-running addiction to cocaine undermining his genius.

The second failed drugs test of his career saw him sent home from the 1994 World Cup in disgrace, and since retiring at the age of 37, Maradona has suffered numerous health problems.

Battles with his drug addiction, alcoholism and obesity saw him suffer a heart attack in 2004, which put him in intensive care, while a later stomach-stapling operation saw him lose 30kg (66 lbs) of excess weight.

Maradona is a virtual novice in coaching terms, with only short spells with Argentine clubs Deportivo Mandiyu and Racing Club in the 1990s on his CV.

But with his health largely restored, Maradona now looks set to take the reins as coach of the national team.

Maradona captained Argentina to a famous triumph, playing every minute of the tournament and scoring five goals, including two against England in the quarter-final that will live forever in football folklore.

His first goal of the 2-1 win came courtesy of an outrageous handball which he later described as "the hand of God", but the second is said by many to be the best goal ever scored; Maradona danced past five England players before poking the ball past Peter Shilton.

But Maradona's life away from football has been anything but straightforward, with a long-running addiction to cocaine undermining his genius.

The second failed drugs test of his career saw him sent home from the 1994 World Cup in disgrace, and since retiring at the age of 37, Maradona has suffered numerous health problems.

Battles with his drug addiction, alcoholism and obesity saw him suffer a heart attack in 2004, which put him in intensive care, while a later stomach-stapling operation saw him lose 30kg (66 lbs) of excess weight.

Maradona is a virtual novice in coaching terms, with only short spells with Argentine clubs Deportivo Mandiyu and Racing Club in the 1990s on his CV.

But with his health largely restored, Maradona now looks set to take the reins as coach of the national team.

Maradona captained Argentina to a famous triumph, playing every minute of the tournament and scoring five goals, including two against England in the quarter-final that will live forever in football folklore.

His first goal of the 2-1 win came courtesy of an outrageous handball which he later described as "the hand of God", but the second is said by many to be the best goal ever scored; Maradona danced past five England players before poking the ball past Peter Shilton.

But Maradona's life away from football has been anything but straightforward, with a long-running addiction to cocaine undermining his genius.

The second failed drugs test of his career saw him sent home from the 1994 World Cup in disgrace, and since retiring at the age of 37, Maradona has suffered numerous health problems.

Battles with his drug addiction, alcoholism and obesity saw him suffer a heart attack in 2004, which put him in intensive care, while a later stomach-stapling operation saw him lose 30kg (66 lbs) of excess weight.

Maradona is a virtual novice in coaching terms, with only short spells with Argentine clubs Deportivo Mandiyu and Racing Club in the 1990s on his CV.

But with his health largely restored, Maradona now looks set to take the reins as coach of the national team.

Maradona captained Argentina to a famous triumph, playing every minute of the tournament and scoring five goals, including two against England in the quarter-final that will live forever in football folklore.

His first goal of the 2-1 win came courtesy of an outrageous handball which he later described as "the hand of God", but the second is said by many to be the best goal ever scored; Maradona danced past five England players before poking the ball past Peter Shilton.

But Maradona's life away from football has been anything but straightforward, with a long-running addiction to cocaine undermining his genius.

The second failed drugs test of his career saw him sent home from the 1994 World Cup in disgrace, and since retiring at the age of 37, Maradona has suffered numerous health problems.

Battles with his drug addiction, alcoholism and obesity saw him suffer a heart attack in 2004, which put him in intensive care, while a later stomach-stapling operation saw him lose 30kg (66 lbs) of excess weight.

Maradona is a virtual novice in coaching terms, with only short spells with Argentine clubs Deportivo Mandiyu and Racing Club in the 1990s on his CV.

But with his health largely restored, Maradona now looks set to take the reins as coach of the national team.

Maradona captained Argentina to a famous triumph, playing every minute of the tournament and scoring five goals, including two against England in the quarter-final that will live forever in football folklore.

His first goal of the 2-1 win came courtesy of an outrageous handball which he later described as "the hand of God", but the second is said by many to be the best goal ever scored; Maradona danced past five England players before poking the ball past Peter Shilton.

But Maradona's life away from football has been anything but straightforward, with a long-running addiction to cocaine undermining his genius.

The second failed drugs test of his career saw him sent home from the 1994 World Cup in disgrace, and since retiring at the age of 37, Maradona has suffered numerous health problems.

Battles with his drug addiction, alcoholism and obesity saw him suffer a heart attack in 2004, which put him in intensive care, while a later stomach-stapling operation saw him lose 30kg (66 lbs) of excess weight.

Maradona is a virtual novice in coaching terms, with only short spells with Argentine clubs Deportivo Mandiyu and Racing Club in the 1990s on his CV.

But with his health largely restored, Maradona now looks set to take the reins as coach of the national team.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/internationals/7696408.stm

[Mike]

Thats exactly what I thought when I heard the news.

He doesen't strike me as having any managerial potential whatsoever.

It's like England appointing Paul Gascoigne.

Well its happened

[bobbyfallon]

did you see him on sky sports news juggled the ball a bit the slotted one past the keeper into the bottom corner.

the best footballer of my time

[Mike]

Missed it.

Will check at 11.

[Tee]

He will undoubtedly have an old hand next to guide him, so it would be like England appointing a dream team of Gazza and El Tel.