Maradona's mysterious ways

Appointing Diego Maradona always looked more like a sentimental than a sensible thing to do by the Argentinian FA. The man had no experience of managing at high level, only trying his hand at lower league clubs some 15 years ago. Certainly appointing one of the more experienced Argentine managers, Diego Simeone or Carlos Bianchi, would've made more sense. But it didn't start off too badly.

Maradona was appointed near the end of last year. His first match in charge turned out to be versus Scotland, which the team won. Also wins in the World Cup 2010 qualifying process followed, but it all turned sour in the infamous game versus Bolivia. Argentina lost that match 6:1, which marks their worst defeat in their history along side 5:0 drubbings by Uruguay and Colombia and a similar scoreline defeat by Czechoslovakia in 1958.

Onwards, the campaign was very frustrating. Even though the next match was won, three straight defeats followed. Maradona using a unprecedented 80 different players in the squad didn't help the matter. His tactical choice was also naive, in every game lining up with a stagnated 4-4-2 with no interchange between the wings and little movement, or even no movement in some games, by the main striker. Maradona himself defended his tactics by saying that he's only just learning the tactical plan. But is post as the manager of Argentinian football team really a place, where you should only be learning?

To his luck, Maradona is worshiped in Argentina, in other circumstances he probably wouldn't have lasted until the end of the qualification. And his team did the business in the end. Even though a small miracle was needed against Peru and the win versus Uruguay, which sealed the qualification in the last round, came very hard.

There's no doubt about his motivating skills and effect on players, but he hugely lacks in other departments of what makes a successful football manager. As said, his tactical knowledge is near to none and his selection of players is mystifying. Having a serious lack of experience might be the cause of all of this. Maradona should've probably tried his hand at some Argentinian top club, before putting his name forward for the international team role.

Latest news say, that Guus Hiddink, who this time around with Russia failed to take a team to the World Cup after 3 successful runs, is lined up to somekind of a consulting role for Maradona. In a interview Hiddink revealed: "That would not be a bad idea, would it?
“We know each other well. It even makes me smile thinking about it. But I do have a contract with Russia, which covers the period of the World Cup.’’

And maybe that's what Maradona exactly needs. A more experienced manager along side him, to guide him through the tactical preparations for the match and such. His current partnership with Carlos Bilardo clearly isn't working.