AFA president hails Maradona

Grondona reveals long-term Maradona ambition

Last updated: 29th October 2008

Diego Maradona Argentina

Maradona: Set to coach Argentina

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Argentina Football Association president Julio Grondona admits it has been a long-held aim to appoint Diego Maradona as national team coach.

Maradona has said he is ready to accept an offer made by Grondona which should be approved at a meeting of the AFA's executive committee next Tuesday.

The new deal will also see Carlos Bilardo - the man who coached Maradona to success at the 1986 World Cup - appointed as general manager for the national team.

"Since 1979, I've been looking forward to having Maradona as coach of the national team," Grondona told Radio La Red.

"Maradona marked a turning point in Argentinean football."

Experience

With just six months coaching experience under his belt at Deportivo Mandiyu (two months in 1994) and Racing Club (four months in 1995), Maradona will be relying on his experience as a player more than anything else in his new role.

Despite the fact that Bilardo is far more experienced, Grondona insists Maradona will have full control of the team.

"Maradona is the number one," he said. "Bilardo will be the director of national teams. He will be in charge of making everything work properly.

"Putting two heavyweight men together is not easy, but we are trying to find excellence. We have tried to solve personal differences thinking about the national team."

Support

Argentina international Lionel Messi has given his backing behind the decision to appoint Maradona as head coach.

Messi told Gazzetta dello Sport: "It is not a problem.

"He is a great one and I admire him for what he has given Argentinean football."