Diego Maradona has insisted that he is being prevented from landing another coaching role because the footballing world is dominated by a “mafia” of agents.
The Argentine became the boss of his country’s national team in 2008 but since leaving that post has only managed to secure a job as coach of United Arab Emirates club Al Wasl.
Maradona, who won the World Cup and two Serie A titles with Napoli as a player, believes that those who have managed teams that are firmly in the public eye can walk into any position they like regardless of how successful they’ve been in previous roles.
Using Benitez’s recent appointment as Newcastle United manager as an example, Maradona said, as reported by Marca: “I would like to [return to coaching], but in football there is a big mafia. The world of coaching is dominated by agents, not by the merits of one [coach] or another, and I do not intend to join that world. I played football and would like to teach football, so I’m open to coaching but not to paying these people.
“This carousel that has been created, ranging from Valencia to Madrid, Barcelona to Manchester City, Manchester City to Manchester United, it’s amazing. 15 years ago, a Real Madrid or AC Milan could choose their coach freely, now these agents send you business clients.
“For example, Rafa Benitez, who I respect very much, was bad at Madrid and not for a lack of players! He failed, but after a while, they give him three years at Newcastle. Can someone explain this to me? Is that normal or is something wrong?”
Maradona undoubtedly has a wealth of knowledge with regard to the game, but that streak of controversy is inherent within his personality and maybe clubs, who are wary of how they are seen by others across the globe, are reluctant to employ him because of that very trait.
During his reign as Argentina’s coach Maradona equalled the country’s heaviest ever defeat by overseeing a 6-1 loss at the feet of Bolivia.
The 55-year-old led his country to the 2010 World Cup but his side were knocked out by a rampant Germany, after losing 4-0.
After achieving qualification for that tournament FIFA banned Maradona from all footballing activity for two months because he used abusive language in a live post match press conference.
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