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Diego Maradona Out As Argentina’s Coach, Fun/Crazy Era Ends

Diego Maradona gave soccer fans around the world much to enjoy as Argentina’s coach during the World Cup, but he couldn’t deliver his own country what it would have most enjoyed: a title. That, combined with his brazen stubbornness, spelled the end of his tenure leading his nation’s team, which the Argentine Football Association made official yesterday.

Maradona’s refusal to part with anyone on his staff ultimately did him in, despite that AFA president Julio Grondona publicly supported Maradona just five days before his dismissal. Apparently, though, his voice was outweighed by many, many others. From the earlier linked writeup on Argentina’s decision:

“Diego shut himself off to any change,” executive committee member Luis Segura said on Argentine television. “Diego has all the right to do what he wants. But so does AFA.”

Fair enough. But for those who followed Maradona because it’s fun to have completely loose cannons, capable of saying/doing anything at any time, in prominent public positions: fear not, because he may still have a future role with Argentina football.

“This marks the end of a first chapter with Mr. Maradona,” [AFA spokesman Ernesto] Cherquis Bialo said. “The doors to this house, as always, will be open to him.”

We’re not sure whether we’d rather see Maradona return in a diminished role (but one that would no doubt still give him a platform to say outrageous things), or go out in an epic blaze of fury. Either way, it’s the right time to revisit some of our favorite Maradona moments.

Before the tournament: Maradona said he’d run naked in public if Argentina won it all. This was not exactly followed be Larissa Riquelme-esque anticipation.

During the tournament: He told Pele to go back to the museum, which in Maradona’s mind means something, apparently. Then there was the time he didn’t want you to get the wrong idea about his relationship with his players. This man was gold every time he opened his mouth.

And finally…our favorite Maradona moments that weren’t really from Maradona, just based on him: This song, and this video from after Argentina was eliminated. Anytime someone is so outrageous that they inspire those levels of outrageousness in others…well, needless to say it’s someone we still need in the public eye. Stay with us, Diego, however you can.

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