Fans Regret Maradona’s Exit
Millions of fans in Argentina have declared their regret about Maradona’s “kick out” from the national squad. Former coach accused the AFA (Argentina Football Association) chiefs of boycotting him after they declared at first that Maradona will be supported by the AFA for at least another campaign. Maradona even declared a couple of days ago that: “They called me to put out a fire and then when I did, this happens. He (Grondona) knows it’s impossible for me to continue without my coaching staff. I defend everyone from the masseuse to the assistant because I have values and I’m not going to change. I’ve given my all for the Argentine soccer shirt… to wear this shirt again… and I’m convinced that the players felt this again… maybe that was my job.”
A 33-year-old Argentinean fan said the legend should go on because the entire country sustain him: “He is an iconic figure and deserved a more graceful farewell.” Here in Argentina, we love Maradona. I think the heads of the AFA (Argentine Football Association) kicked him out in a dodgy way.” Maradona himself declared few days ago that the AFA chiefs didn’t have patience for him to shine, his tenure being the shortest in the past three decades: “You know that my cycle lasted only for one and a half years. It was the shortest tenure in the past 35 years.” Another Maradona fan said: “He didn’t do such a bad job as coach. We haven’t been beyond the quarter-finals in a World Cup since 1990, so I don’t think he did much worse than others given that the team was in disarray when he took over,” while other: “To be coach of the national team, you have to work seriously and that’s not something Maradona’s known for.”
Maradona’s exit from the national job impressed even Argentina President Cristina Fernandez who still hopes both the AFA chiefs and Maradona come together and resolve things: “He took over the national team when it was a hot potato and lots of people predicted we wouldn’t even qualify for South Africa. I’m really sad about Diego, I think the team put on a very dignified performance. I don’t know what happened (with Grondona) but it saddens me, they should come together and fix things.” One fan made an interesting comment, saying that no matter how Maradona would end a tournament, he should be forgiven just because he’s who is: “As a coach he lacks many things, but it doesn’t matter because he’s “El Diego”. I know there are much better coaches in Argentina, but who cares? Maradona is an idol and he inspired the team, for technical staff he had advisers.”
The AFA bosses kicked out these days Maradona’s assistants from the national team, although they have showed their interest of sustaining him after the World Cup failure and despite they knew Maradona won’t coach the team without the assistants he wants to collaborate with. The main favorites for the world cup title were sent home in the quarter finals, after an embarrassing defeat against Germany, Loew’s side beating Argentina with 4-0 and broke their dreams earlier than expected.
