At the World Cup in South Africa, Diego Maradona aims to achieve what only one other man has managed: Win the World Cup as a coach after lifting the trophy as a captain.German Franz Beckenbauer won in 1974 and as coach in 1990. Maradona was the hero of Argentina’s second and last World Cup title, in 1986. But, as Amy Lawrence, points out, Maradona strikes an unlikely figure to follow in Beckenbauer’s footsteps. In terms of temperament, philosophy and public perception, the Argentinianmaverick comes from another planet.
Beckenbauer is pragmatic and refined; the other strikingly volatile and unpredictable. One never puts a foot, or a word, wrong. The other made headlinesduring this World Cup’s preparations for having a fight with his own dog and ending up in hospital, pledging to run naked around El Obelisco in the center of Buenos Aires if Argentina returnstriumphant, and running over a reporter en route to a press conference to name his final squad – promptly leaning out of the window to shout at the injured man: “What an a****** you are!”
Argentina named Maradona coach in 2008 despite little coaching experience — brief stints at Mandiyú de Corrientes and Racing Club, neither successful. But being a national hero forhis playing days was enough to get him the appointment, and he has since used 108 players before deciding on his World Cup squad.
With players such as Lionel Messi,Diego Milito and Lucho Gonzalez, the key players last season in the Spanish, Italian and French leagues, respectively, experts wary of a weak link in the dugout arehesitant to call Argentina a major favorite to left the title in South Africa. Perhaps, Lawrence offers, there’s a method to Maradona’s madness.