Jubilant reception for Maradona, Messi in Buenos Aires
July 5th, 2010 - 5:16 pm ICT by IANSBuenos Aires, July 5 (DPA) Despite their humiliating loss to Germany in the World Cup football quarter-finals, the Argentine national football team and coach Diego Maradona received a rousing reception when they arrived in Buenos Aires.
Thousands of fans dressed in the national colours - light blue and white - gathered outside the Ezeiza International Airport as well as the Argentine Football Association (AFA) headquarters, amid tight security here Sunday.
But the players could barely be seen as their bus headed straight to the AFA office.
Many supporters carried signs that said “Diego 2014,” referring to the next World Cup, but the coach’s fate is still be to decided.
Maradona strongly hinted that he was stepping down as coach after the team’s 4-0 whipping by Germany Saturday.
“I have to discuss it first with my family and the players,” said Maradona, who won the World Cup as a player in 1986.
One of football’s all-time greats, Maradona took over as Argentina’s coach in October 2008. His team qualified for the World Cup finals in South Africa with difficulty but were undefeated and had played impressively until Saturday’s debacle.
Maradona will meet AFA president Julio Grondona Monday to discuss his future as the team’s coach.
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- Maradona may stay on as Argentina coach - Jul 21, 2010
- Maradona hints stepping down after German knock-out punch - Jul 04, 2010
- Maradona hits back, says he was cheated and lied to - Jul 29, 2010
- Maradona may be in charge of Argentina till 2014 - Jul 15, 2010
- Maradona to have fresh contract talks with Argentine Football Association chief - Jul 26, 2010
- Maradona sacked as Argentina's football coach - Jul 28, 2010
- Maradona again slams Bilardo - Oct 23, 2009
- Maradona accuses Argentine football association of 'lying, betraying' - Jul 29, 2010
- Annoyed Maradona could resign as national coach - Oct 07, 2009
- FIFA probing Argentina-Nigeria friendly - Jun 04, 2011
- Maradona undergoes surgery after being bitten by his dog - Mar 31, 2010
- Messi has a cold, skips training - Jul 01, 2010
- Maradona to coach Dubai club - May 17, 2011
- Maradona officially named Argentina football coach - Nov 06, 2008
Tags: afa president, argentine football, debacle, diego maradona, dpa, ezeiza international airport, fate, football association, julio grondona, messi, national colours, national football team, quarter finals, rousing reception, south africa, tight security, time greats, whipping, world cup finals, world cup football