Under the Hand of God: Maradona the Manager

Maradona’s appointment as Argentina manager as been greeted with great cynicism but Gentry think they’ll flourish under the hand of God – Go Diego!

Something remarkable is taking place in the football world… the man who almost unquestionably holds the mantle of “the world’s greatest ever player” makes his debut as national manager of Argentina. Against Scotland on 19 Novemebr, all eyes will be on him, yet again. Maradona the manager is born…

A legend on the field…

Maradona lit up a generation, redefining individual success in a team sport. He took Napoli to two Serie A championships (a modern equivalent would be for Giovanni to win Hull City the Premiership!) and, famously, dribbled, shot and slapped his way to victory at Mexico ’86. Infuriating one very small island, delighting the rest of the world. His "Hand of Goal" goal reportedly brings him greater satisfaction than the glimmering second. He's contrary nature makes Maradona's appointment all the more thrilling.

The man lives (and quite frequently nearly dies) for the attention that’s been lavished on him for the last 25 years. Since retiring from the game at the age of 37 (making comments that he “threw his talent away” absurd) he’s tried odious amounts of cocaine, mooted comebacks, TV shows, and charity work to replicate the rush of excitement football once offered. Now, it seems a more logical leap to hug the touchline and try to pass on just a little bit of his magic.

Strangely, his appointment has been greeted with almost universal cynicism. It’s no surprise that’s the case on these shores. The media are still spitting vinegar over his demolition of them in 86. His two goals seemed to have permanently defined the England team as losers. And I'm tipping the diminutive devil to do a cracking job in charge.

And here's why…

The greatest bunch of players in the world… Maradona in full flight

Argentina have the most talented group of players on the planet. They have guile, pace and vision. It seems only when managers get in the way of their naturally attacking, dynamic instincts that the team fails. Peckerman was doomed because he failed to go for the throat when they were beating Germany in the WC – an unforgivable act amongst Argentines. His successor, Alfo Basile was open minded but over reliant on Riquelme to make the side tick. Maradona will inspire them to play through the current three new Maradonas, arguably three of the best players to grace the game at the moment, Tevez, Aguero and the incomparable Messi.

Actually, incomparable isn't right. He can be compared to his new manager. In fact, of all the new Maradonas to litter the game, Messi has the potential to play on El Diego's level. And what better man to inspire him?

Surely two new Maradona’s + the next Maradona + one old Maradona is an equation that equals victory?

If you need any more convincing that this irrational appointment is the perfect fit for a people seemingly driven to the romance of both self-destruction and glory, then just imagine those 11 faces looking up at the world's greatest ever player in the dressing room. It doesn't matter what he does, what he tells them to do or even anything that he says. He is Maradona. That’s his thing. And that’ll be enough.

They already know how to play. And he is probably the reason why. The first ball they ever kicked was probably in imitation of Maradona. Be certain that Maradona will play attacking football, free and open – using the full range of talent at his disposal. Maradona the manager, will – hopefully – be an extension of Maradona the player.

But even the great man was taken by surprise by the appointment. He said… "As I was going to the meeting, I thought it was some kind of hidden camera (show)."

The harder they fall…

No doubt his reputation is at risk. But he seems to be able to do nothing to shatter the respect his glittering talent earned him. He’s shot journalists, had several drug induced heart attacks, been banned from the game twice for drug abuse, been caught on a live news channel cheating on his wife, over-eating so heavily his stomach had to be stapled, and constantly denied the existence of his illegitimate son – Diego Maradona Jnr (who looks EXACTLY like him!). Unlike Pele, Maradona is brave enough to let the world judge him all over again as a manager.

It’s a strategy that’s backfired before. It’s a big risk, as Hristo Stoichkov, Lothar Mattheus and now Gianfranco Zola realise. It’s true that Argentina would prefer him dead so that they can idolise him proper like Eva Peron or El Che, but bringing them a third World Cup wouldn’t rub them up the wrong way either. Under the Hand of God, expect Argentina to flourish. Maradona the manager could be a horror-show, or it could be a rollercoaster ride all the way to the top. Either way, it’ll be tinged with the crazed excitement the man’s always given us.

Here's a reminder of the maestro at his inspirational best. I'm predicting his awesome force of will and undying belief to push them all the way in 2010. The little bastard has destiny on his side, after all. Yo Soy el Diego!

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Category: Sport