The Hindu : Sport / Football : Maradona interested in coaching Argentina

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Apr 10, 2006

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Sport - Football

Maradona interested in coaching Argentina

SAO PAULO: Diego Maradona is considering the possibility of coaching Argentina after the World Cup, and believes Ronaldinho is in a different class to other players.

Maradona made the comments shortly after arriving in Brazil late on Friday for an indoor soccer friendly between former National team players from Brazil and Argentina.

``Yeah, I'm considering the possibility of coaching Argentina,'' Maradona said. ``But it's hard to talk about this right now, when we have (Jose) Pekerman on the job and just before the Cup. This is something for the future.''

Confirming the intentions

Maradona's agent and former player, Alejandro Mancuso, confirmed the star's intentions.

``His name is always mentioned when there's talk about the National team's coach,'' Mancuso said. ``He wants to do it, of course.''

However, Maradona said Pekerman is likely to secure his job for a long time if Argentina wins the World Cup in Germany.

``Then I could become an option for the youth squads, or as a co-ordinator, we'll see,'' Maradona said.

Simply the best

The Argentine great hailed Brazilian midfielder Ronaldinho as the best player in the world, and said he was playing at a different level to other players.

``It's a lot of fun to watch him play,'' Maradona said. ``He does incredible things with the ball.''

Ronaldinho, FIFA's player of the year for the past two seasons, helped Brazil win its fifth World Cup in 2002.

Maradona joined former National team players Mancuso, Jose Basualdo, Sergio Goycochea and Jorge Burruchaga during the 6-6 drawn friendly with a Brazil side, which included Dunga, Bebeto, Zetti, Aldair, Careca and Muller.

Maradona was named the game's most valuable player.

It was the third match between the squads. Argentina won the first 8-4 in Brasilia, and the teams drew the second 7-7 in Buenos Aires. Another friendly will be played on April 29 in Cordoba, Argentina. — AP

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