In Defence of Diego Maradona

October 30th, 2008 | by: Daryl |

The prospect of Diego Maradona coaching has not been met with universal applause. Cocaine, weight gain, stomach staples, short lived chat shows, a losing record in his blink and you missed it coaching career so far. Also, he talks a lot of crazy.

Argentina fans don’t seem too impressed (71% of voters were against the appointment) that a genuine chance of winning World Cup 2010 is being put in El Diego’s hands. And the rest of the world is veering between astonishment and laughter. Tellingly, the bookies have lengthened Argentina’s World Cup 2010 odds, which isn’t something they do lightly (since longer odds means they potentially pay out more.)

For the record, I agree with all of the above. I think a team like Argentina needs a proper coach. Someone more familiar with strategy than sniffing powder. But if I were to make the case for Diego Maradona, here’s what it would like:

1. All the cheap shots about cocaine can be put to bed. Yes, he did do that. But not anymore. Maradona’s 48 years old now. He’ll never be as mature or serious as, say, Arsene Wenger. But he’s not no longer a wild child either.

2. Maradona will take this very very seriously. Whatever criticisms you can lay against Diego Maradona, lack of passion for the Argentina national team is not one of them. So yes, his coaching career so far is not good. But Maradona will know this is his one chance at glory. He can’t screw this up or throw a tantrum and quit and then expect to be offered the position again for World Cup 2014.

3. Tactics aren’t everything. Remember Jose Pekerman and his amazing attacking team at World Cup 2006? He made the tactical move of going defensive to protect the lead against Germany in the quarter-final and ended up losing the game. Maybe it will be good to see a less cautious coach in charge of a big team. And remember El Diego will have the old head of 1986 World Cup winning coach Carlos Bilardo to turn to for tactical advice.

4. Destiny. It all depends if you believe in this kind of thing, but if you consider the story of Diego Maradona, this is a man who seems destined to do certain things. Maybe the idea of Maradona as a serious coach is laughable. But for reason the idea of him coaching Argentina to a World Cup victory isn’t.

5. Here’s arguably the most important thing: the Argentinean players love Diego Maradona. He’s done the one thing they all dream of doing: winning the World Cup for the albiceleste. So whatever else Maradona’s done (chemical or otherwise) the likes of Leo Messi and Sergio Aguero revere him. They could also be inspired by him. It was suggested recently that the younger players who’ve played most of their careers in Europe couldn’t relate to Alfio Basile and his old-school style. They’ll have no such problem with Maradona.

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Ronald

this article should be retitled :Diego Maradona – if i am defending him, this is how it would look like…

(ala OJ Simpson.) lol

but ive said this before, i dont think Diego is going to do that bad. All the talent needed to win is already on the field, if anything the players need someone who’s won it before tell them how hard it was ( a kick in the pants ) after that the players will respond ( Ala Singletary, lmao )
http://epl.theoffside.com Rob

It worked for Cruyff and Beckenbauer, its just whether Maradona has the nous and people around him to make it work in the same way. Not sure, but I’m not passing judgement already.

Bobby Charlton would have made a rubbish England manager though.
kathi

most people make rubbish english managers
http://epl.theoffside.com Rob

Trueché.
http://juventus.theoffside.com alessio

Yeah, Jose Pekerman took Argentina to the same placing as Sven Goran Eriksson….not sure you want to compare the two. I imagine another quarterfinal finish for Argentina wouldn’t be what they’re looking for.
gregorio

messi actually don’t rever diego that much. he prefers aimar or d’alessandro as his idols.
http://www.argentina.theoffside.com Jeremy

In theory, this could be wildly successful. The talent is there, so is the under achieving. They figure Diego will motivate and Bilardo will tactivate. Theoretically it could happen. Actuality is another matter.
miele

For some weird reason, i have a hunch that he’ll only be as successful as Van Basten’s euro campaign, i.e. delirious wonderment in the beginning, only to come apart when facing a world-class proven tactically savvy counterpart.
http://www,torlaune.de/ gomez

#5 is not to be underestimated. Diego is an idol for the players and that can well have an impact. Moreover Carlos Bilardo will do his part, he already coached a team that won the world cup.
Napolifan

With such exceptional players and talent Maradona has every chance to succeed. I believe Argentina will score more goals and win the world cup if this happens: Messi with the things he does gets to create chances for the upfront team, Aguero and Taves. Complementing messi, the two wingers Di Maria and Levezzi attack from the corners with their tremendous ball skills and long range shots. Aguerro and Taves can also mop up the long range shots of Di maria, Levezzi and Messi. Argentina’s attack has a new dimension this time around and it is not the great Messi and Aguerro it is their natural wingers Di Maria and Levezzi.