Appointing Diego Maradona as Argentina’s national team manager was a desperate last throw of the dice. World Cup qualification was secured in dramatic circumstances, but there was little to vindicate Maradona aside from his legendary status.
Puzzling decisions were a hallmark of his brief tenure as Argentina boss, and none more so than the double exclusion of Esteban Cambiasso and Javier Zanetti from his squad for South Africa. Both were central to Jose Mourinho’s Treble-winning 2009/10 season at Inter, but somehow missed out.
In contrast, Fabricio Coloccini and Jonas Gutierrez – decent but unremarkable players fresh from a season in the Championship with Newcastle – made the cut and even started the opening game.