A few more thoughts on Diego
By: Jeremy | October 28th, 2008The internet is burning up with news of Diego’s new gig. A large majority are opposed to it, even in the country where he is everyone’s favorite son.
A lot of the reasoning has to do with his less than stellar managerial record – two teams, three total wins back in ‘93-’94ish.
Then there are those who point to his bouts with substance abuse, be it cocaine or alcohol, and his questionable morals. He’s not been a stable figure for large stretches of his life. The thought is that the GINORMOUS amount of pressure about to be heaped on him will cause him to crack, again.
I’m thinking of another reason as well. Football came to easy to Diego. I know Bianchi and some of the other coaches had great careers, but they did have to work at it. Diego was such a natural I wonder how much he really understands mentally enough to teach it and how much was just such an ingrained part of his instinct that he wouldn’t even think to talk about it. The best managers were often not the most talented players.
Plus he is quite chummy with most of the younger players. Will his friendships get in the way of his (if he is allowed to make them) squad selections? Will he be able to leave Aguero (his son in law, or soon to be) or Tevez on the bench in favor of a true 9, maybe even one based in Argentina? Can he look at eleven guys and take each one aside and say “forget your millions and your ego and what you want to do, I want you to play this spot in this way” and make it work? Can he recognize and replace players who aren’t getting it done, even if they are his favorites?
I hope it works out since I’m kind of a US National Team turn coat. I root for Croatia (family roots) and Argentina (hope to live there one day) and with Diego on board, I have serious doubts about making a run. There is no dominate national team out there today, so the road really was open.
Argentina has so much talent in midfield and up top that they have to be considered serious contenders. If they could actually find another defender or two, especially a replacement for Heinze, before South Africa, they would be legitimate favorites for the World Cup. Sadly, that is all in real jeopardy now, due to a bone head move by Julio Grondona. When Diego gets the boot/resigns for poor results, Grondona needs to be shown the door with him.
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Comments
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I agree with you completely. For me this is just like what happened to Mexico when they appointed Hugo Sanchez – though Sanchez is no Diego, he was probably Mexico’s greatest ever player, but he was a complete disaster. And while they both struggle with their own egos, Maradona is an even more impulsive and polarizing figure. Even among the Argentine public, who adore him, he’s made his enemies.
Posted from
Canada
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…maybe it sounds crazy today, but who knows?
I havent seen Argentina playing good football for years. Where are all Bielsas, Pekermans and others? They were good in the theory, but very poor in reality. Diego is opposite, he has been under tough critics before he has taken the job…Posted from
Poland
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