Diego is back
When I first heard Diego Maradona is back as an Argentina coach I couldn't believe it.
Seriously, that guy had more problems with the law than any rapper who makes disorders in English airports. He is banned from attending five countries on account of drugs charges. His former driver claimed he slept with thousands of women.
In contrast he is author of some of the most controversial goals in World Cup history. He is the guy who led the Argentinean national team to World Cup victory in 1986. People of Argentina say he is a God. He is always the David against Goliath.
However, not everyone is satisfied with his returnig. There still is people, who hate him for his goal at World Cup 1986 against England, when he scored by his hand (Maradona called it "Hand of God"). They say that giving Diego so much responsibility is a suicide. His defenders admit, that Maradona has some emotional problems, obviously caused by his long-term cocaine addiction.
However, they think that it's difficult to keep a grip on reality and stay in a shape when people call you a God. The important thing is that he has now overcome his addiction.
It is interesting that before Maradona became a coach he was a host of a popular TV show in Argentina. It was some kind of Oprah show, where he was talking about people's personal life and giving them advices. His great personality encouraged people listen to him.
"He makes our hearts beat in the same rhythm," said a young guy, who went for his autograph.
It is true. However, he makes not only Argentinean hearts beat in the same rhythm, but people's hearts all over the world. Though Maradona finished his football career at 1994, he still inspires footballers so much, that one of Mancheter United's players, Rio Ferdinand, received him as a gift for his 30th birthday.
"In my eyes he is the best footballer ever," said Ferdinand. "He is one of my heroes, if not the shining beacon when I was a kid. I had all his videos. He was the player everyone wanted to be.
"He was the best. He was my idol and part of the reason why I started to play football. I can't hold him in higher esteem than that. To be able to shake his hand, get a cuddle of him and a picture."
Maradona is the footballing equivalent to the computer world's Steve Jobs. Remember what happened when Jobs left Apple? No-one heard about the company for many years. No-one has heard about Argentina's football team for many years either. Now Steve Jobs is considered a leading figure in both the computer and entertainment industries and Maradona is taking over.
However, there already is some problems caused by Maradona's appointment as a national team coach of Argentina. In interview to BBC Maradona claimed he will walk out on Argentina ahead of the friendly against Scotland at Hampden Park if he will not be allowed to appoint as his number two Oscar Ruggeri, his friend and former football player.
But Argentina FA technical secretary Carlos Bilardo was pretty sure Maradona will not commit his threat: "He won't resign. I have spoken to Diego and told him he has to go slowly. There are 500 people he can choose to assist him.
"When I coached the national team I had to change my whole staff after four or five months of work.
"But Diego wants them all at once."
As the result Maradona changed his mind and now says he never claimed he will leave a national team, besides it passed a little time from the moment of his appointment. Who would doube, Maradona is very controversial guy, but he loves his team.
It is too early to make any conclusion about how much Maradona succeed as a couch. It is a new role for him, but many people consider he is gonna make it. It is no point to guess now, time will show.
