Maradona stunned to not be in the running for Argentina job

Diego Maradona has expressed his surprise at being overlooked as Argentina draw up a list of contenders to succeed Jorge Sampaoli.

The Albiceleste are in the market for a new coach after enduring a tough time at World Cup 2018, with even Lionel Messi unable to inspire them past the last-16 stage.

It has been revealed that feelers were put out to Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola about taking the reins, only for it to become apparent that a proposed deal would be far too costly.

Various other candidates have been linked with the vacant post, but Argentine icon Maradona is not among them.

The 1986 World Cup winner has taken in a previous spell in charge of the national side, leading them to the 2010 finals in Germany.

He is not considered to be in the running to be handed the reins again, with his time currently taken up by a chairmanship at Belarusian club Dynamo Brest.

Maradona has, however, admitted in the recent past that he would work with Argentina for free and is disappointed to see reporters and officials overlooking him.

He posted on Instagram: "With respect to the Argentine national team, I want to say that it bothers me that some journalists do not include me among the possible coaches.

"I listened to Chavo Fucks [Argentine journalist], for example, and he did not even name me among the possible candidates.

 

Acá, en casa, recuperándome de dos operaciones que tuve con mi dentista, el Dr. Braverman, para poder empezar a ver jugadores para mi equipo, el Dinamo Brest. La verdad es que el mercado se disparó y yo no puedo jugar con la plata de los dirigentes, y mucho menos con este dolor en la boca. Así que quiero recuperarme y ponerme 10 puntos. Por esto es que no estoy yendo a los programas de TV, que me invitan, y estoy hablando por las redes sociales. Con respecto a la selección argentina, quiero decir que me jode que algunos periodistas no me incluyan entre los posibles técnicos. Mientras me operaban, escuchaba al Chavo Fucks, por ejemplo, y ni siquiera me nombró entre los posibles candidatos. Yo me acuerdo de sus comienzos, cuando yo todavía jugaba, y pareciera que ahora él ya no me conociera. Y lamento que tampoco me tengan en cuenta algunos diarios argentinos, que sí hablan de otros ex técnicos de la selección, pero no de mí. Pero bueno, éste es el periodismo deportivo que tenemos los argentinos. De todas maneras yo tengo un contrato de 3 años, y el Dínamo tiene mi palabra. Aunque yo por la selección doy la vida.

A post shared by Diego Maradona Oficial (@maradona) on Aug 6, 2018 at 2:54pm PDT

"I remember his beginnings, when I was still playing, and it seems that now he does not know me anymore.

"I'm also disappointed not to be taken into account by the Argentinean newspapers, which speak of other former coaches but not me.

"But hey, this is the sports journalism we Argentines have.

"In any case I have a three-year contract and Dynamo have my word. Although I'd give my life for the Selection. "

Maradona’s stint in charge of Argentina saw him take in 19 games at the helm.

He emerged victorious in 15 of those, but suffered a heavy 4-0 defeat to Germany in the quarter-finals of the 2010 World Cup and his contract was not renewed.