Don't go Diego.

As an Englishman and a cold blooded football fan I will never forgive Diego Armando Maradona for his blatant trespass of the rules of the game against England in 1986. We're not guilty of complete twisted bitterness about it - after all most people in this country are happy to admit that his second goal that day was the best of all time and tangible evidence that he was the best in the world and probably the best ever seen. So whatever your feelings towards Diego its safe to say that many would agree that the man has been a breath of fresh air in the dull breeze of South Africa 2010. Whether he's snogging his players whilst celebrating a goal or making the sign of the cross 8 times after every kick there's a fire still about Maradona and we should consider why that is, and could it possibly lead to him actually becoming a top manager?

Not only was Diego possibly the greatest player to have lived but he might well just owe more to the game he's dedicated his life to that any other to play it as well. Gary Lineker commented on a 'Dream Team' video before France '98 that Diego's career was 'as if the Gods were toying with him' and I think that's a great summary of his life. The so called 'hand of God' came at the pinnacle of Maradona's career as he had led what many perceive to be a fairly mediocre Argentina side to World Cup victory. He was currently playing for Napoli where he had somewhat perfected the art of single handedly winning titles with average team mates having racked up a couple of cups with Barcelona a few years before in 1983. At this time Maradona was amazing. Despite the addiction to cocaine he had developed at Barca his powerful dribbling ability and magical ball control set the world alight - not to mention his lethal left foot. Diego was only ever happy when he was playing. Some players see football as a job but for Maradona it was his career, social life and home all rolled into one. For the Argentine genius the most difficult job of all was dealing with life outside of football which he has never ever managed to do.

I can't help but think that having Maradona around the likes of Lionel Messi can only be a good thing. The 22 year old wonderkid has been compared to the man so many times that its nice to see a close relationship has ensued and Maradona has relished the opportunity to nurture his protege. He advised Messi to find ways of handling what he described as 'loneliness' off the pitch which is a remarkable word for one to use who can not escape the limelight no matter how hard he tries. Its as if off the pitch Maradona acknowledges no true friendship but on it he sees his team mates as a family which is quite extraordinary.

After repeating the feat of carrying his side to the final in 1990 except this time losing out to West Germany in the final Maradona began to fade. He left for Sevilla in '91 where his drug and depression issues began to reach new heights prompting a return to Argentina first to Newell's Old Boys and eventually his beloved Boca Juniors. Due to a 15 month ban after the 1990 World Cup and a whole host of personal problems Diego had barely played football by the time the 1994 World Cup came around in the USA but at the age of 34 his reputation gained him a place in the squad which he repaid famously with a fantastic strike against Greece before the infamous 'eye popping' celebration which was later confirmed to be a result of ephedrine doping meaning a heartbroken Maradona was sent home after only 2 games.

Until 2007 Maradona was a wreck. His former team mate Jorge Valdano descibed his life as 'a personal ordeal which should not be imitated' hence Diego's plea to Messi not to let his rise to stardom and inevitable strain on his personal life affect his mental well being. Being made Argentina manager in December 2008 has rejuventated Maradona. His acceptance back into the fold of football if you will has galvanised his charisma and personality turning the show of his life once again into a comedy thriller rather than a romantic tragedy. His relationship with his players and passion for the game is almost that of a fan being given the chance to run his beloved team - leading us to forget sometimes who the fat dwarf waddling up and down the touchline occasionally skilfully flicking the ball into someones hands really is. Given his religious routes Maradona probably does believe that he's become God's toy. I think I believe it to. Blessed with a talent which has allowed him to be revered by all who have ever seen him play - and cursed with a disposition and dependence on the game he has changed forever that will mean football is the life and death of him.

So for his own sake I hope he keeps his job and achieves the success he once again strives in some way with Argentina. Next year's Copa America would be great I don't want the little bastard ruining another World Cup for England in 2014 we're perfectly capable of messing it up ourselves thanks Diego. But in all seriousness as long as Maradona gets his football fix he might just be okay. As soon as its taken away I fear probably the greatest footballer and definitely the biggest football fanatic ever to have lived will once again run into personal problems. However when all is said and done he will still pick Jonas Guttierez, so I do fear slightly for his role as an international coach!