Maradona Hired as Argentina Manager

Did your jaw hit the floor earlier today when you heard the news of Diego Maradona being hired as the new Argentina manager? Mine did. I knew it was a possibility that the football legend could land the vacant Argentina position, but I didn't see him realistically being hired.

Well I, like many, were stunned today as reports leaked out that Maradona had come out of a meeting with Argentinian Football Association president Julio Grondona. The meeting confirmed that Maradona would be the new man in charge of the albiceleste.

"I'm putting everything aside for this," said Maradona "There is nothing that can make me look past the national team. Today my path is the national team, my task is to talk to the players and build a solid group. I am sure the guys and Argentinian football will pull through."

The 47-year-old also appointed Carlos Bilardo as director of football. Bilardo was the head coach of the Argentina side that Maradona was on when they found World Cup glory in 1986.

"I am going to listen to everything Bilardo has to say. He is going to help me as we can't leave someone with the success, experience and knowledge he brings on the sidelines." said the former Napoli star.

The player with the infamous Hand of God's first task will be to watch the players as often as possible before establishing his player pool in the build-up to his first match in charge of the albiceleste, which will be a friendly with France on February 11th. Argentina will resume their World Cup Qualifying campaign in March and are sitting in third place, seven points behind leaders Paraguay with eight games to play.

Some Argentinian fans may be skeptical of the hiring due to his lack of experience at the coaching level, but Diego Maradona wants nothing more than to help Argentina achieve World Cup glory, just as he did in 1986.

"I think we must make the players understand that our shirt is the most important thing, that they cannot exchange money for glory. Glory is much more than money. I know they know that, but we must make them remember that every day."


What do you think of Maradona as the man in charge of the albiceleste? Will he be a good coach despite his lack of experience? Think bringing Bilardo along for the ride is a good choice? Who would you have hired if not Maradona? Share your thoughts below.