Maradona hints stepping down after German knock-out punch
July 4th, 2010 - 1:08 am ICT by IANSCape Town, July 3 (IANS) Diego Maradona strongly hinted he was stepping down as Argentina’s national football team coach after their 4-0 whipping by Germany in a World Cup quarter-final match 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.
“I’m going to be 50 on October 30, and this is the hardest thing I’ve had to go through because I’m in front of so many good players and good people.”
“It’s like a knock-out punch from Muhammad Ali, and I don’t have the strength to do anything. It wasn’t the ending we’d hoped for, but I believe that whoever comes in next will have to continue on the same path because it’s the path the Argentines want.”
One of football’s all-time greats, Maradona took over as Argentina’s coach at the end of 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.
- Jubilant reception for Maradona, Messi in Buenos Aires - Jul 05, 2010
- Argentina's defeat to Germany "kick in the face": Maradona - Jul 04, 2010
- 'God wants' Argentina to be in World Cup final: Maradona - Jul 03, 2010
- Maradona appointed Dubai's sports ambassador - Sep 02, 2012
- The God bites the dust - Jul 04, 2010
- AFA head: Maradona could eventually return as national coach - Aug 04, 2010
- Maradona may stay on as Argentina coach - Jul 21, 2010
- Argentinian stars have a long affair with Kolkata - Sep 01, 2011
- Another fresh start for Maradona - Jun 11, 2010
- Maradona brands Riquelme traitor - Jul 19, 2012
- Maradona calls Pele 'idiot' for comments on Messi - Jun 10, 2012
- Maradona in Italy tax row - Feb 16, 2012
- Maradona's son to play in Argentine fourth division - Aug 17, 2012
- Maradona hits back, says he was cheated and lied to - Jul 29, 2010
- Great chance for Higuain to surpass El Diego - Jun 28, 2010
Tags: argentina, argentines, cape town, debacle, diego maradona, final match, germany, hardest thing, knock out punch, muhammad ali, national football team, south africa, team coach, time greats, whipping, world cup finals