Fancy a move to England? Argentina legend Diego
Maradona
Diego Maradona may be English football's public enemy No 1, but
all the Argentina legend wants for his 50th birthday is a job in
the Barclays Premier League.
The so-called 'Hand of God' cheat admits he's been talking to
Kevin Keegan about life at the top in England and is eager to get
back into work after being disappointed when leading his country at
this year's World Cup in South Africa.
Maradona was linked with the Aston Villa job before Gerard
Houllier replaced Martin O'Neill in the West Midlands.
And while the former Napoli striker says he never had talks
about that job - he would be keen in other opportunities.
'Of course I would like to manage in the Premier League,' he
told Sky Sports News ahead of his milestone birthday on Saturday.
'It has very good teams, an exceptional level and great
players.
'The only problem is all the teams I like in England have good
coaches. If any important job comes along I will accept it.
'I was looking at Arsenal and Chelsea, and talking to Kevin
Keegan.
'Everything is so professional there: the players, the managers,
the coaches. The players are surrounded by everything they need.
Everything is phenomenal.'
End of the World: Germany celebrate as Argentina
are crushed at the World Cup
Despite having little coaching experience, Maradona was a
controversial choice as Argentina boss Alfio Basile was axed two
years ago this month.
His tactical acumen was often questioned, ensuing in fiery
exchanges with the press, but players rallied around the former No
10 in the run-up to the World Cup.
However, his side were spanked 4-0 by Germany in the
quarter-final and Maradona lost his job soon after in a dispute
over the make-up of his backroom staff.
The one-time drug abuser admits he won't walk back into that job
any time soon, but he also sought to set the record straight about
reports linking him to a plethora of jobs since the summer.
Hand of God? Maradona punches the ball past England
goalkeeper Peter Shilton at the 1986 World Cup
'I want to be very clear that I didn't offer myself for any job,
nor did anyone offer me anything,' he said. 'It bothered really me
when I was mentioned for Mexico and Aston Villa.
'But I know I will go back with the national team some day, that
is my fate. I'm waiting. They took away the national team from me
unfairly.
'I don't want to talk about it, it doesn't deserve any words. I
am in too good a mood to talk about people who don't deserve my
words. But I do miss the national team.