Maradona in frame to succeed himself

Diego Maradona, sacked as coach of Argentina only last week, is in the frame to succeed himself, it emerged yesterday in the latest twist in the saga involving the footballing icon.

According to Ernesto Cherquis Bialo, Argentina Football Association (AFA) spokesman, Maradona’s name is among the list of candidates to fill the vacant coaching position.

“Diego has never gone away and he is still arriving,” Bialo told radio station Ten, paraphrasing the lyrics of a famous tango dance.

Bialo said that the new manager would be revealed in October.

He added: “Nobody’s name is forbidden.”

The possibility of Maradona being re-appointed to the job he held for 18 months comes as an unexpected development following his dismissal in the wake of Argentina’s 4-0 defeat to Germany in the World Cup.

His sacking prompted a backlash of bitter recriminations from the 1986 World Cup winner who claimed that he had been “lied” to by AFA president Julio Grondona and “betrayed” by team manager Carlos Bilardo.

He blamed the pair for plotting his downfall, claiming that they had gone back on their word after telling him his job was safe after the Germany rout in South Africa.

Argentina captain Javier Mascherano will hold talks about the vacant coach’s position with Grondona in Dublin on Monday before the friendly international between Argentina and Ireland.

Maradona became the shortest-serving manager of Argentina when he was shown the door after just 18 months in charge for refusing to replace some of his backroom staff.

Maradona received support from the highest level with Argentina President Cristina Kirchner expressing her sadness at his sacking and saying the star did not deserve his treatment.