Jimmy Greaves said: "Football is a funny old game" and if you ever need any evidence to back it up surely Diego Maradona's appointment as Argentina national coach yesterday is all the proof you need.
Admittedly Maradona was one of the greatest players to ever play the game and despite his many shortcomings (I'm sure most of you saw him being escorted off of the pitch during the 1994 World Cup for testing positive in a drugs test), he was a magnificent player to watch; but would you really want him as your manager?
Sir Alex Ferguson said last week that Carlos Tevez is excited at the prospect of being managed by the 48 year-old. I'm sure many players would want to play under the man who helped to win them the World Cup in 1986 but can it work?
It is fair to say that Maradona's previous two spells in management with Textil Mandiyú and Racing Club de Avellaneda did not go according to plan, but at that time, his personal life was not exactly in good shape.
After his near-death experience it is claimed that he is mentally and physically up to the job, and he has help in the form of his former 1986 national team coach Carlos Bilardo.
The Argentinian public on the other hand, although idolising the former number 10, were against the appointment. As Matt Dickinson noted in his article in The Times last week, 70% of the public are against the appointment according to two national newspaper online polls.
Then there are problems with some of his players;
The man labelled, like many, as the "new Maradona", Sergio Aguero, is about to become the father of Maradona's first grandchild. If his relationship with Maradona's daughter goes 'tits up' what are the chances of one of Argentina's most promising young players being excluded from the national team.
Arguably the best player in the world for the last two seasons, Lionel Messi has been criticised recently by Maradona, who said that he is too selfish! (Hmmm a severe case for pot and kettle me thinks.)
Maradona also said recently that Argentina are "Javier Mascherano plus 10". Not the best way to breed confidence in your players.
Whatever happens I will be following with a keen interest. Argentina were my hot tips to win the 2010 World Cup, they certainly have the players to win it, but is this appointment going to destroy any hopes of Los Albicelestes lifting the Jules Rimet trophy in South Africa?
There is also a good discussion on Maradona's appointment on last weeks Football Weekly by the Guardian
Admittedly Maradona was one of the greatest players to ever play the game and despite his many shortcomings (I'm sure most of you saw him being escorted off of the pitch during the 1994 World Cup for testing positive in a drugs test), he was a magnificent player to watch; but would you really want him as your manager?
Sir Alex Ferguson said last week that Carlos Tevez is excited at the prospect of being managed by the 48 year-old. I'm sure many players would want to play under the man who helped to win them the World Cup in 1986 but can it work?
It is fair to say that Maradona's previous two spells in management with Textil Mandiyú and Racing Club de Avellaneda did not go according to plan, but at that time, his personal life was not exactly in good shape.
After his near-death experience it is claimed that he is mentally and physically up to the job, and he has help in the form of his former 1986 national team coach Carlos Bilardo.
The Argentinian public on the other hand, although idolising the former number 10, were against the appointment. As Matt Dickinson noted in his article in The Times last week, 70% of the public are against the appointment according to two national newspaper online polls.
Then there are problems with some of his players;
The man labelled, like many, as the "new Maradona", Sergio Aguero, is about to become the father of Maradona's first grandchild. If his relationship with Maradona's daughter goes 'tits up' what are the chances of one of Argentina's most promising young players being excluded from the national team.
Arguably the best player in the world for the last two seasons, Lionel Messi has been criticised recently by Maradona, who said that he is too selfish! (Hmmm a severe case for pot and kettle me thinks.)
Maradona also said recently that Argentina are "Javier Mascherano plus 10". Not the best way to breed confidence in your players.
Whatever happens I will be following with a keen interest. Argentina were my hot tips to win the 2010 World Cup, they certainly have the players to win it, but is this appointment going to destroy any hopes of Los Albicelestes lifting the Jules Rimet trophy in South Africa?
There is also a good discussion on Maradona's appointment on last weeks Football Weekly by the Guardian
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