Argentina boss Diego Maradona(born 30 October 1960 in Lanús, Buenos Aires is a former Argentine football player, and current coach of the Argentine national side) has denied he could walk away from the job due to alleged differences with technical director Carlos Bilardo.
Diego Maradona stated on Tuesday that whatever the outcome of the final two qualifiers this week, which could see Argentina eliminated from the World Cup 2010, he would consider his future. But he now insists that his words have been twisted.
"I'm not giving up nor am I going. I never said I could resign,'' Maradona told a press conference. "I'm asking the press for a bit of respect.
"I only said that after the qualifiers I had to meet with Julio Grondona to talk about what happened during the whole of this year. It was you who said about resigning.
"I had to organise a meeting with the players to tell them that this wasn't true because a journalist told (Martin) Demichelis and he asked me afterwards. The day I have to leave I will say.
"I could at this moment have been smoking a cigar rather than talking to you. I did it because I respect your work and because it's my work.''
Maradona and Bilardo reportedly barely speak to each other, with Maradona unhappy at interference in team affairs.
Diego Maradona stated on Tuesday that whatever the outcome of the final two qualifiers this week, which could see Argentina eliminated from the World Cup 2010, he would consider his future. But he now insists that his words have been twisted.
"I'm not giving up nor am I going. I never said I could resign,'' Maradona told a press conference. "I'm asking the press for a bit of respect.
"I only said that after the qualifiers I had to meet with Julio Grondona to talk about what happened during the whole of this year. It was you who said about resigning.
"I had to organise a meeting with the players to tell them that this wasn't true because a journalist told (Martin) Demichelis and he asked me afterwards. The day I have to leave I will say.
"I could at this moment have been smoking a cigar rather than talking to you. I did it because I respect your work and because it's my work.''
Maradona and Bilardo reportedly barely speak to each other, with Maradona unhappy at interference in team affairs.
