Diego Maradona Fired as Argentina Football Coach

Diego Maradona was fired as the head coach of the Argentina football team.  The colorful figure had considered resigning after his team failed to make the semi-finals of the 2010 World Cup.

The Argentine Football Association, which hired the former star in November 2008, said Tuesday that his contract will not be renewed.

"Diego shut himself off to any change," executive committee member Luis Segura said on Argentine television. "Diego has all the right to do what he wants. But so does AFA."

Though the federation had offered Maradona a four-year contract through the 2014 World Cup, they also insisted on having some of the assistants replaced, replaced, Maradona's close friend Alejandro Mancuso.  Maradona said he would only accept the offer if his entire staff remained.   

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