Former Argentine international, Diego Amando Maradona has offered to coach the country’s national senior football team, the Albi Celeste for free, days after they were knocked out of the ongoing World Cup in Russia.
Maradona was arguably Argentina’s biggest fan at the 2018 World Cup where he was conspicuously active at every of their games jumping, screaming and urging the Argentine team on.
The Albi Celeste were lucky to get out of their group as they were four minutes away from elimination before a Marcos Rojo goal saved them in their final group encounter with the Super Eagles of Nigeria.
Their continued participation in the tournament was however short-lived, as they fell in the second round to the firepower of a Kylian Mbappe-inspired French side.
The Argentine team was plagued by many issues off-field which then translated into on-field problems as they seemed unable to get their act together and put out a cohesive performance.
With the World Cup now over for them, the Argentina legend has offered to coach the team without pay if it would bring them glory.
Speaking to Telesur on Tuesday, Maradona said: “Yes, and I would do it for free.
“I wouldn’t ask for anything in return. People think I am happy but my heart is heavy.
He added: “I feel really bad that everything we built with so much effort we destroyed so easily.”
Maradona was coach of the Argentine team at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa where he was only able to take them to the quarter-final stage where they scandalously lost 4-0 to Germany.
Ademola Lookman Crowned 2024 African Footballer Of the Year
CAF Unveils Top Five Nominees For 2024 Awards Ahead Of Ceremony
Rodri Wins Ballon d’Or As Real Madrid Boycotts Ceremony
Thomas Tuchel Appointed England Manager Starting January 2025