Maradona to get new contract offer

Argentina head coach Diego Maradona is to be offered a new four-year contract

Argentina head coach Diego Maradona is to be offered a new four-year contract. The Argentinian Football Association have announced the plan and AFA president Julio Grondona will meet with the 49-year-old next week.

Should he accept the offer, Maradona, whose team lost 4-0 to Germany in the World Cup quarter-finals, will have the chance to lead his country again in four years' time, when the global tournament is staged in Brazil.

The AFA executive committee met to discuss Maradona's future and determined he remains the right man to command the national team.

Grondona intends to meet with Maradona no later than next Wednesday to discuss the contract extension.

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In his playing days, Maradona led Argentina to victory at the 1986 World Cup in Mexico, but he was a controversial appointment as coach in late 2008.

He had little coaching experience and had experienced various personal problems in the later years of his playing career and following his retirement.

He nevertheless led Argentina to qualification for the World Cup, thanks to a late winning goal in their final qualification match against Uruguay.

In South Africa, Argentina initially looked serious contenders to win the trophy, however they were soundly beaten by Germany.

"I may leave tomorrow," was Maradona's immediate response to the defeat.

But he added: "We will see what happens. I haven't thought about leaving. I have to check that with my family and the players and there are things I have to consider."