Messias or Mistake?

Diego Armando Maradona, Argentina’s football legend, will become the new coach of his country’s national team.

After negotiating on his position with ex-coach Carlos Bilardo and the federation’s president Julio Grondona, it was publicized that Maradona will be presented as Alfio Basile’s successor.

Basile had resigned after Argentina’s disappointing 0-1 loss against Chile earlier this month.

Although the 1986 World Champion is still a national hero, Maradona is no longer unquestioned in the South American country. He was facing drug problems, heart complaints and overweight again and again over the last years.

It is supposed that the federation will install several assistant coaches besides Maradona, e.g. ex-coach Bilardo and former Argentine internationals José Luis Brown, Julio Olarticoechea and Sergio Batista. Vice-World Champion Sergio Goycochea was named as a goalkeeping coach.

The first game under Maradona’s direction is expected for November, when Argentina faces Scotland in a friendly. The next World Cup 2010 qualifying match will take place in March against Venezuela.

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Jason Torch,
October 31, 2008

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