World Cup 2010: Diego Maradona says 'cycle is over' as Argentina coach

Diego Maradona has suggested his time as Argentina's coach could be over, according to the Argentinian cable channel Crónica TV. "That's it, my cycle is over, I gave all I could," Maradona is quoted as saying on arrival at his home in Buenos Aires last night. "Now I want to enjoy time with my family." A crowd of more than 10,000 cheering people welcomed Maradona and the national team home yesterday after their elimination from the World Cup by Germany, who beat them 4-0 in the quarter-finals to Germany. So far Maradona has not presented his resignation to the Argentinian Football Association and his employers have made no comment. Reports elsewhere in the Argentinian press suggest that, while Maradona had earlier indicated to close associates that he wanted to step down, he has since reconsidered in the light of the strong support he has received from the public and players. Alejandro Mancuso, the coach's friend and assistant with the national team, said: "It's difficult for me to think that he might want to step down after not achieving the objective of winning the World Cup. We can't throw away all the good that was done." Meanwhile a close associate of the AFA president, Julio Grondona, said it was up to Maradona if he stayed or went. "The ideal thing would be for him to see out his contract," said Luis Segura, chairman of Argentinos Juniors. Segura said none of Maradona's predecessors had been sacked. "The AFA has never cut a contract short and, if Diego decides to carry on, he will carry on." Maradona's contract runs to the final of the Copa América to be held in Argentina next year.