BUENOS AIRES, (Reuters) – Diego Maradona’s stormy spell as Argentina coach came to an end yesterday when the Argentine Football Association (AFA) voted unanimously not to renew his contract.
Maradona’s future had been in doubt since Argentina’s 4-0 thrashing by Germany in the World Cup quarter-finals in South Africa this month, less than two years since his headline-grabbing appointment.
“There needed to be some changes among Diego’s staff … and we couldn’t come to an agreement,” AFA chief Julio Grondona told reporters. “No one’s being kicked out, a contract hasn’t been renewed because we didn’t have the conditions to do so.”
An AFA spokesman cited “unbridgeable differences” with the flamboyant Maradona, who led Argentina to World Cup victory as captain in 1986 and is adored by many Argentines.
The team’s earlier-than-expected exit from the tournament followed a shaky qualifying campaign, but the former player was still given a hero’s welcome when the squad returned home and President Cristina Fernandez urged him to stay on.
Several dozen fans, some banging drums and chanting, gathered outside the AFA’s headquarters after yesterday’s announcement.
