Maradona: My Chapter has Ended

Argentine football manager at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, the effervescent Diego Maradona, tearfully told a local newspaper that ‘his chapter had ended’.

Maradona

Argentina, who many had touted to win the World Cup this time, were sent packing by Germany’s young guns on a day that many have already suggested will go down in the annals of history. And in spite of having an outstanding array of attacking talent, it was the defensive frailties of the squad that ultimately led to their demise.

Even with the best player in the world Lionel Messi amidst their ranks, the South Americans failed to stamp their mark on the game, save for a hectic ten minutes after the break. But time and again, their brittle defense, which has been criticized throughout this World Cup, was finally exposed by an efficient German team.

“It’s done, my chapter has ended,” Cronica newspaper quoted Maradona as saying, two days after Germany’s resounding 4-0 win over Argentina. “I gave everything I had.”

Maradona compared the loss to the feeling he felt the day he left football. Back then, embroiled in controversy, he stepped down from being one of the most influential footballers in history. When Maradona took up the reigns of the Argentine team, his team went through a disastrous qualifying campaign that almost saw them not qualify for the main event. It took a personal promise and a vacation for the soul for Maradona to lead his men to South Africa.

Although he has not yet handed in his resignation letter, close contacts believe that it is only a matter of time.

A spokesman for the Argentine Football Association said Maradona had not officially resigned and that AFA President Julio Grondona would meet with Maradona after the World Cup had finished.

A close friend of Maradona’s said: “I still can’t confirm it, (the resignation) is something that’s being discussed.”

The friend said Maradona’s decision would be announced during a press conference but he did not say when.

Maradona will thus become the latest casualty from the managers’ bench, if he decides to step down for good.