Maradona will be a disaster for Argies
Last updated 11:22, Wednesday, 05 November 2008
THE appointment of Diego Maradona as Argentina’s national team manager has thrilled his country’s fans, who have seen their team of hugely talented stars fail to win the World Cup since that infamous ‘Hand of God’ triumph 22 years ago.
The joy won’t last until the next World Cup.
His appointment is a disaster waiting to happen and it’s a matter of time before he goes from being revered to being considered an embarrassment.
This is a man who has battled drug addiction and obesity; he’s been kicked out of the World Cup for doping, not to mention sentenced to jail for shooting an air gun at reporters.
It’s hardly the best profile for a football manager – and I doubt it will be long before Maradona’s eccentric behaviour, which has badly damaged his reputation and credibility since he retired from playing, will show itself again.
Of course people can be rehabilitated and everyone deserves a second chance to make a successive of their lives.
But Maradona has a habit of hitting the self-destruct button.
It’s hard enough for a superstar player to make the transition to the dug-out. The weight of expectation isn’t the only baggage Maradona is saddled with.
