Maradona eyes Argentina job: Diego wants to be in charge for Scotland clash
By Ashley Gray
Diego Maradona admits he would love to manage Argentina following the resignation of Alfio Basile.
His first job would be to reinvigorate the country's underperforming superstars ready for a friendly in Scotland next month.
Proud: Diego Maradona and family celebrate Argentina's victory over Serbia & Montenegro at the 2006 World Cup
Basile quit after a World Cup qualifying defeat to Chile on Wednesday night, his country's first competitive loss to their neighbours at the 35th attempt.
Maradona has been tipped for a job as technical director in the new regime, but the controversial 47-year-old hopes he will be considered for the top job despite a lack of coaching experience.
'I would love to be considered,' said Maradona. 'Who would not want to coach the national team?' Argentina have not won a major senior title since their 1993 Copa America triumph and Maradona believes it is time someone with winning experience was given the job, such as one of his World Cup winning team-mates of 1986.
'The time has arrived for all those who gave joy to everyone during '86 to have their chance,' he said.
'Humbly, I think we deserve a chance, but we must respect the other names that say they also have their merit.' Maradona would be a controversial choice. His coaching experience consists of two short unsuccessful stints in the mid-Nineties at Textil Mandiyu and Racing Club.
As a player he failed two drugs tests; the first detecting cocaine in 1991 and the second finding traces of stimulant Ephadrine while he was playing at the 1994 World Cup in America.
Diego Maradona battles for the ball with England's Steve Hodge during the 1986 FIFA World Cup quarter final.
After his playing retirement he struggled with cocaine and alcohol abuse and suffered a major heart attack in 2004. In March last year there were rumours of his death after he was taken to hospital with hepatitis and the effects of alcohol abuse. But Maradona has since lost weight and says he lives a cleaner lifestyle.
The favourite for the Argentina job is another 1986 World Cup winner, Sergio Batista.
As current coach of Argentina's youth teams, Batista led the country to Olympics gold in September and the 45-year-old has declared his interest in taking the step up.
'When you are a footballer you dream of playing in the national side,' he said. 'And when you are a coach, you want to be in charge. Who doesn't?' He would be keen to have Maradona as part of his team.
'To have the support of Maradona is always important,' said Batista. 'He was with us at the Games and the door is always open.'
Former Lazio and Inter Milan midfielder Diego Simeone, now in charge of River Plate, is also among the contenders. But early results from polls show neither Batista, Maradona or Simeone would be favoured by the fans, who have put former Boca Juniors coach Carlos Bianchi way out in front after 75,000 votes cast on the website of popular Buenos Aires newspaper Ole.
Maradona claims a close relationship with Argentine federation chief Julio Grondona and was quick to compliment him yesterday (Friday).
'Since I returned from [the Olympics] I have not spoken to Julio, but we are on good terms,' said Maradona.
'Surely he will take his time to decide what is best for the future of the team, as he always does. I know what he thinks, but I will have to wait.'
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1078637/Maradona-eyes-Argentina-job-Diego-wants-charge-Scotland-clash.html
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