Filed under: Argentina
The future of Argentine soccer great Diego Maradona's coaching career has been juicy water cooler gossip in recent months, with the 50-year-old throwing his name in the ring for seemingly every high-profile opening, from Aston Villa in August to Boca Juniors just last week.If you're to trust the motions of Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's noggin, however, Maradona just might end up plying his trade in the Middle East.
The headline, "President Ahmadinejad: Maradona might be head coach of the national team," was plastered on the front page of Iranian daily Ebtekar on Monday after Ahmadinejad nodded in response to a question about Maradona becoming Iran's new coach, according to a Reuters report.
Ahmadinejad was present at a ceremony honoring medalists from the recent Asian Games in China when he was prodded about Maradona.
An admirer of Cuban leader Fidel Castro and Venezuela President Hugo Chavez, Maradona likened Ahmadinejad to the two controversial politicians in 2007 when he sent an autographed shirt to Iran.
"I've already met Fidel and Chavez ... now I need to meet your president. I'd like to meet Ahmadinejad," he said at the time, according to Reuters.
Maradona with Castro (left) in 2005 and Chavez (right) in 2010
Iran has qualified for three World Cups: 1978, 1998 and 2006.
A polarizing figure with an image marred by drug use and public outbursts, the 50-year-old Maradona has been actively pursuing coaching vacancies since guiding his native Argentina to the quarterfinals of this past summer's World Cup in South Africa. The Argentine Football Federation declined to renew his contract after the tournament.
He is widely considered one of the greatest players of all-time, having captained Argentina to the 1986 World Cup title.
Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments
Source: http://soccer.fanhouse.com/2010/12/06/diego-maradona-linked-to-iran-coaching-position/
Blake Lively Blu Cantrell Bonnie Jill Laflin Bridget Moynahan Britney Spears
No comments:
Post a Comment