Diego Maradona is one of three people to have deific status in Argentina. The other two are Ernesto ‘Che’ Guevara and another catalyst of the Cuban revolution Fidel Castro. He is the only one to have won over the nation through sport and not political ambition. Yet with Maradona’s appointment as Argentina manager, one can argue that is not for his management skills that he has gained the top job but for the image and what Maradona represents that the Argentine Football Association has taken this decision.

Behind the myth of Diego the player is a management record that runs to only 23 games, with little success at either Racing Club or Deportivo Mandiyu. As for his powers of motivation and inspiration, there is little to suggest he can do so. Yes, he was captain in 1986, but the role of captain and manager are completely different. The role of lead cheerleader at the 2006 World Cup reveals his passion for Argentina but as we all know, football fans are fickle and easily frustrated. We know Maradona has a will to win at all costs, be it through illegal substances, or punching the ball into the net, or even an exquisite piece of skill.

Essentially, what Argentina has done is put a former player, infinitely more talented than Paul Gascoigne on the pitch, and even more unstable off it in charge of their national side. He has yet to pay £18m worth of taxes, ordered by an Italian court, gained a suspended three year jail sentence in Cuba for a scuffle with a photographer and even refused to recognize his son of the same name until a paternity test in 1993. And the two only met in 2003, after Maradona Junior tricked his way onto a golf course in Naples, where his father was playing.

Admittedly, he has recovered from several problems, such as obesity, the drug addictions and other scars, but many fans have still questioned the wisdom of giving an unpredictable and extrovert Maradona this job. Maradona was banned for 15 months in 1991, after testing positive for cocaine, and once again in 1994, where he was sent home from the World Cup after the banned stimulant ephedrine was found in his body. He claims his only addictions now are his two daughters, having not touched the bottle or drugs for roughly four years, yet he is still fond of the occasional cigarette.  

Many commentators have claimed this surprise choice, ahead of Batista, Bianchi or even Pekerman, was mainly due to the fact that the mere name of Maradona would shield his players from media criticism. Under Alfio Basile, a qualifying defeat to Chile left Argentina in 3^rd place, while previously against Uruguay, when a 2-1 victory ended a run of six successive draws. Yet on the other hand, the presence of Argentina’s greatest footballer (we’ll count Alfredo Di Stefano as Spanish in this instance) could have a negative effect on his squad, who could feel the pressure of the glory of 1986. Maradona labelled his heir apparent Lionel Messi as ‘selfish’ recently, and will look to iron things out with the Barcelona star. Such media output could now become a thing of the past, yet with Maradona, one can never be sure.

El Diego’s lack of tactical background will be compensated by the appointment of Carlos Bilardo, his 1986 World Cup winning manager, recently a radio pundit. The veteran coach, known fondly as ‘Big Nose’ in his homeland, is famed for his defensive style. This could work for or against him with Maradona, naturally a supporter of attacking football. The duo have had their ups and downs, with Bilardo signing a £4.68m Maradona in 1992 for Sevilla. Yet after 26 appearances and 5 goals, he left Andalusia after being substituted in one game and falling out with Bilardo as a result.

Due to the Argentine’s previous run in with drugs, all friendlies in America and Australia have been suspended, with Maradona unable to enter those two nations. With the build up to his first game, Diego has dismissed claims he needs experience, citing his years as a player on the national team are enough. Coupled with this, he has also claimed tactics are irrelevant and what matters is the quality of his squad. There is a huge talent pool for the new manager to choose from, with the Olympic-winning players only adding to his dilemma. Does Maradona stick with some of the old guard, such as Riquelme, or does he promote youngsters such as Banega and Gago?

For a player, whose passion and heart went into his football, he will have to use his head from now on. We have seen some great players become successes in management, yet these men have different qualities to Maradona. Johan Cruyff is one of the most intelligent men to ever grace this game and was a success at both halves of football – playing and managing. Others such as Romario claim they could not imagine ordering a player to do something, which they never did during their playing days. According to some ‘el Diego’ appears to be of the latter persuasion.

Maradona will make his top level coaching debut against Scotland on November 19^th, the same nation against whom he scored his first goal for Argentina in June 1979. That day marked the start of a wonderful international playing career. Perhaps the parallel will run up to World Cup glory as well.

Maradona’s myth remains intact after so many attempts by the man himself to self sabotage his image. Could this be one attempt too far? Or will the prodigal son bring home what his loyal subjects desire after 24 years in 2010?