Diego Maradona has had some strong words for Argentine Football Association president Julio Grondona and team manager Carlos Billardo following the non-renewal of his contract.
Maradona accused Grondona of ‘lying’ to him, and Billardo of ‘betraying’ him by trying to get him fired.
“They called me to put out a fire and we put it out. I’ve given everything, everything,” the 49-year-old said.
“Grondona lied to me. Bilardo betrayed me. When we were in mourning after the 4-0 defeat by Germany at the World Cup, Bilardo was working in the shadows to get me fired.
“Grondona, in the dressing room after we had been knocked out of the World Cup in South Africa, told me in front of witnesses and the players that he was very happy with my work and that he wanted me to carry on.
“On our return to Argentina things started to take on a bizarre twist and on Monday I met with Grondona.
“After five minutes, he told me that he wanted me to continue but that seven of my technical staff could not stay. When he told me this, he was saying that he didn’t want me to carry on in the job.
“He knows that it is impossible for me to stay as coach without my colleagues.”
The Argentine Football Association said, on July 15, that Maradona would be offered a new 4-year-deal, before the board unanimously voted not to renew his contract 12 days later.
