Maradona stares into World Cup abyss

Argentina coach Diego Maradona was accused of making fatal errors in selection and tactics on Thursday as the soccer-mad country contemplated the humiliating prospect of missing out on the World Cup.

Wednesday’s 1-0 defeat to Paraguay sent the former double champions slipping out of the four automatic qualifying places for the 2010 finals in South Africa with just two games in the South American zone left to play.

It was the fourth defeat in six qualifiers since Maradona took the reins.

The La Nacion newspaper said: “These are hard times for the coach who had multiple errors.”

“Edge of the abyss,” headlined Clarin, the country’s biggest-seller which added that Maradona can’t afford any more slip-ups against Peru, who are already eliminated, and then Uruguay, who trail the former champions by just one point.

Sports daily Ole commented that Maradona, who captained Argentina to the 1986 World Cup title, “had made all the mistakes that a coach can commit and which demotivated the players.”

After Wednesday’s defeat, Maradona, who took charge in November last year, was in defiant mood.

“Since I was 15 years old, I have feared nobody. I am 48 now and I will continue to fight against them,” said Maradona, in reference to the country’s demanding media.

Maradona is paid 100,000 dollars a month, but his appointment was widely criticised because of his lack of experience as a coach.

His salary is thought to be twice that earned by predecessors Daniel Passarella, Marcelo Bielsa, Jose Pekerman and Alfio Basile.

Maradona’s coaching CV is wafer-thin.

While he served a doping suspension, he trained low-levels clubs Mandiyu de Corrientes (October to December 1994) and Racing Club de Avellaneda (May-September 1995).

In his 23 matches in charge, his teams drew 12 matches, lost eight and won just three.

When Maradona succeeded Alfio Basile, who quit in October 2008, Argentina were in third spot in the qualifiers.

But Maradona’s Argentina have lacked direction, conceding 14 goals in six matches while star players Lionel Messi and Carlos Tevez have failed to take their club form onto the international stage.

Argentine media have also criticised the constant changes in personnel.

Three goalkeepers have been used in nine games while 60 players have been called up.