Emotional Maradona says Bilardo ‘betrayed’ him
BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (AP) — An emotional Diego Maradona, looking to be close to tears, said Wednesday the decision to leave as Argentina coach was not made by him and accused national team director Carlos Bilardo of betrayal.
Speaking one day after the Argentine Football Association declined to renew his contract, Maradona said Bilardo worked in the shadows to get rid of him.
Bilardo was the coach of Argentina and Maradona was its star player when the team won the World Cup title in 1986.
Maradona said AFA president Julio Grondona asked him in Monday’s meeting to continue but without seven of his assistants. Maradona said he could not meet those conditions.
Maradona read from a prepared script for about 10 minutes in a restaurant in the Buenos Aires suburb of Ezeiza. And despite a room packed with reporters and family members — including his two daughers — he took no questions.
The 49-year-old Maradona suggested the 21 months he spent as coach was not enough and said this was the fifth straight Argentine team that had failed to get past the World Cup quarterfinals. Argentina was beaten 4-0 by Germany in the quarterfinals three weeks ago in South Africa.
“They called me to put out a fire, and we put it out,” Maradona said. “Grondona lied to me. Bilardo betrayed me. While we were still in mourning (the loss to Germany), Bilardo worked in the shadows to throw me out.”
Maradona gave no hint of his future plans.
“My technical team and I were prepared to keep going,” Maradona said. “Grondona, in the changing room in South Africa, said in front of witnesses that he was was very happy with my work and wanted me to continue. But back in Argentina things started to change.”
Maradona was hired by Grondona despite having little coaching experience, and some thought he was badly out-coached in the quarterfinals by Germany coach Joachim Loew.
“I’ve given everything, everything,” Maradona said, ending his speech. “I am convinced that Argentine football needs to be in a better position. I have tried to transmit the pride that I feel, being Argentine.”
