When Julio Grondona asked, “what do you want to do?”, Diego Maradona received his best birthday present ever. After turning 48 yesterday, Maradona had the distinction of not asking for a gift. He was offered one.
“I have already told you Julio, I want to be the coach of Argentina,” Maradona said.
The response from the president of the AFA was immediate. His ensuing comments made Maradona’s heart beat as fast as the time he scored the infamous ‘hand of god’ goal against England in 1986.
“Very well,” Grondona says. “This is what you have always wanted. Argentine football is now in your hands, Diego.”
So on the sixth floor of a department in the office of Puerto Madero, four key men (Julio and Humberto Grondona, Maradona and Carlos Bilardo) sealed the position of manager of Argentina’s football team en route to South Africa 2010.
The successor to Afilo Basile has now been dertermined, and Maradona is it.
One of the finest ever footballers to grace the field will be taking charge of a nation desperate for a World Cup – their last being, ironically, in 1986 with Maradona taking charge as a player.
Maradona arrived in Argentina two hours before he would receive the eagerly awaited call from Grondona. The football legend was not expecting the position of manager even though he made his intentions clear long before this drama began.
Despite this, he had an important appointment with Grondona and company. On his way to the reunion, Maradona was informed that Carlos Bilardo was going to be present at the meeting.
“Now, this is weird,” Maradona said. “But when I arrive everything will be sweet and I will be calm no matter what happens.”
At the conclusion of his reunion with Grondona, Maradona was officially named as Argentina’s national coach.
He knows the pressure will be on from the outset. But Maradona already had goals in mind.
Mobbed by fans and the media, he outlined the necessary steps for Argentina to regain their aura as the best football nation on the planet.
“For Argentina, everything else takes a back seat. It is clear now that I will form and control the way this team functions on the field.
“My first job will be to talk with the players and convince them of my appointment, one person at a time.”
Even though Maradona will get to his players eventually, some need the understanding faster than others – like Barcelona star, Lionel Messi.
“Messi is a terrific footballer, but I will make it my duty that most of the pressure place on him is taken away so we can allow the kid to enjoy his football.”
Maradona is wearing the famous jersey once again. Who knows what could follow?
Alan Nicolea
Guest
Liam Pender That's all it takes mate. Well said
Liam Pender
Roar Rookie
Coaches are similar to the great military leaders of history. Some like Napoleon succeed due to their great tactical nous, whilst others like Joan of Arc are so revered by their troops that their men fight many times better than they would under anyone else. Maradona may inspire an effort from the Argentinians that would nullify any tactics of any opposition coach...
Colin N
Guest
tbh, because I was born after 86, I don't look at that incident with as much distain as other fellow countrymen. However, I have never been a fan of the way Argentinians conduct themselves on and off (in Maradona's case) the pitch in general. dasilva, I'm not against ex-greats becoming international managers with very little experience, but I think you said it yourself when you talk about Beckanbauer and Cruijff as they had the tactical awareness and intellligence to perhaps succeed in management. I don't have a problem with Maradona being selected but I just think it'san accident waiting to happen. Just look at Dunga with Brazil-there's been a lot of pressure on him recently and was almost sacked, yet he was one of the great Brazil captains. I don't wish to pick holes already but he origianlly stated this week that he was going to watch Mascherano and Tevez this weekend. Well at the last minute he's changed his mind.
Alan Nicolea
Guest
Left Arm Maradona will not do it all his own way. It's not like he will be a Wayne Bennett type character and control everything from the outset. That control will only come with success on the football field. Batista and Bilardo will have a big hand in what Maradona employs as coach with Argentina. That is a guarantee. Da Silva - Maradona loves a challenge indeed and i know he will not revert back to his previous experiences as coach. If he manages to keep himself on the ground and stay composed, there is indeed no reason why he cannot succeed.
dasilva
Guest
Where's the glory as a spokesman/ambassador? I prefer Maradona to Pele as a character (perhaps not as a moral character but a more interesting character). You have to admire someone who put their reputation and status in line for the top job. Pele may make more money as an ambassador but if by Argentina wins the next world cup under his tutulage then it will add another glorious chapter to his great career. He'll be the second person in history to win the world cup as a player and a coach. Why not give it a go? I admit if he behave the same way as he did in his previous coaching job he will fail. However if he mellow out recently and became a little bit more mature there's no reason he can't succeed.
LeftArmSpinner
Roar Guru
I dont think he has the skills or constitution for the training paddock. he doesnt have the finesse or self control to be a media spokesman. So where does he fit in, whether he has a team around him or not? A high profile guy like this will want to do it his way. heaven help those that get in the way. he might get his gin out again! Only joking! Seriously, why should they put him in such a stressful situation. Pele was a better footballer but was smart. Ali finally wised up too. there's more money and its easier as a respectful spokesman/ambassador.
dasilva
Guest
Colin N Franz Beckanbauer was employed by manager of Germany with no coaching experience at all. At the time it was quite controversial. Germany then reach the final of 1986 world cup and then won 1990 world cup. Sometimes selecting great players as coach can be an inspired decision. admittingly Beckanbauer was known as an intelligent player who understood tactics very well. It was his idea to create the attacking sweeper just like it was partly Cruijff idea to create total football. Perhaps that's explain why both of them were successful with no coaching experience. Also Klinnsman did a pretty decent job last world cup with no prior coaching experience. KLinnsman was responsible for fitness and man management and Jochim Low for the tactics. The partnership worked well enough. Is it just the general principle of selecting great players as coach with no coaching experience you have the problem with or is it just selecting Maradona that is the problem.
Alan Nicolea
Guest
Left Arm Thanks again but once again it seems you guys think Maradona is on his own here. He has a great coaching staff around him now that will help him stay on the ground. The coaching responsibilties will be evenly shared with Maradona, Batista and Bilardo also at the helm. With that in mind, all is not doom and gloom in my opinion.
LeftArmSpinner
Roar Guru
Alan, a great article as it polarises the audience. I'm with Spiro et al. This will be a train wreck. the Best salesman doesnt necessarily make the best sales manager. The underlying strength, of the individual, technically and emotionally, is the critical part. I hate to see this allowed to happen to a titan of world sport, not disimilar to Ali.
Alan Nicolea
Guest
Colin N Its Okay mate. This is a sports opinion website. There is no need to be sorry. You even said you were english so i totally understand the grief maradona put you through in 86. Its only natural. Sure, he has not performed as a manager in the elite level but he has a good team around him to not let his emotions for Argentina get the best of him, thats for sure.
Colin N
Guest
No I don't want him to succeed because he's been employed on his ability and reputation as a player rather than his ability as a manager (which may explain my bias). I'm sorry but I just can't see him succeeding.
Alan Nicolea
Guest
Colin N Maradona has a very experienced team around him now with Batista, Brown and Bilardo all at the helm with Maradona. Each of these individuals will have key roles to play when Argentina play again soon. It is the same for any sport mate. I think teams having a coach that was so wonderful as a player for their club will do more good than bad. Here's a question for all - Do you guys WANT him to succeed or not - yes or no.
Colin N
Guest
Alan Nicolea, Why compare it to a different sport. It's like comparing Wales without Warren Gatland and with him and there are many other examples of this. If it is to succeed, I believe he needs someone experienced as his assisstant as I very much doubt that he has a great tactical brain on him. Paul Ince wouldn't have got to where he is now without Ray Mathias. He was the brains to the success gained at Macclesfield, MK Dons and they're doing Ok at Blackburn.
Alan Nicolea
Guest
Guys I think Argentina are in need of some inspiration and Maradona will give them that. They have been so lucklustre in the world cup qualifiers and need a spark. Indeed the Sydney Roosters in the NRL were performing horribly for three seasons running when their great icon Brad Fittler retired. Since Brad Fittler took the head coaching role at the Roosters, they found themselves being a top four side when they missed the finals for three seasons running. Fittler has that aura about him which allows the players to play for him. Indeed Maradona could do the same for Argentina.
Savvas Tzionis
Guest
Argentina have nothing to lose!!!! They have underperformed since the 1990 World Cup. 1994...kicked out at Round 2 stage (partly due to Maradona's positive drug test) 1998....beaten by Dutch at QF stage (par performance) 2002...could net even get out of group stage!! 2006...QF...beaten by a lesser German team
jimbo
Guest
True Tah, Maradona’s previous coaching experiences have not been as positive as his drug test results for the presence of cocaine. He led Deportivo Mandiyu in 1994 and Racing Club in 1995, and in both cases abandoned the post before the contract was up. His behaviour at times was quite embarrassing, often abusing officials and players from the other teams and being sent from the field and banned from the sidelines. Maradonna has left to the world little doubt about how good a player he was, but does he have the nous, the temperament and the guile to succeed as a national coach. I tend to agree with Spiro that this is going to be a mini soap opera and probably end up as a reality TV show. Bilardo will end up doing all the coaching and Diego will get to enjoy being around the players and rousing their nationalistic pride.
Alan Nicolea
Guest
True Tah Now that would have been something. Maybe Rugby Union would have become the world game.
Alan Nicolea
Guest
Da Silva You forgot to mention league legend Andrew Johns.
True Tah
Guest
Alan, good you mention Che - probably the most famous Argentinean rugby player ever - pity the IRB didn't recruit him to spread the rugby revolution through Latin America!
Alan Nicolea
Guest
True Tah At least their god exists in the flesh. And besides, they have another in Che Guevara - who also existed. Colin N - How on earth can you be so sure that he will fail. What do you base that on honestly?