Diego Maradona Extension Talks Hit Rough Patch

Hindsight is always 20/20 in life, and especially in sports. In the case of Argentina's ill-fated World Cup campaign, there is no hindsight involved. Months before South Africa 2010 kicked off, the signs were there that Argentina and Diego Maradona would not lift the trophy.

As Argentina won its first four games by out scoring its opponents 10-2, fans began to see hope that maybe El Diez would lead La Seleccion to glory, just as he had done as team captain in 1986. 

Then came the match against Germany, when all of the doubts surrounding Maradona's team selection and tactics came to the forefront as Argentina was handed its worst loss since Sweden in 1958. 

Even after making laughable errors inconceivable to fans, pundits, and other coaches alike, such as leaving Javier Zanetti out of the 23 man squad, sticking with the poor Martin Demichelis despite his atrocious form, leaving Walter Samuel on the bench, and playing Javier Mascherano as the only midfielder against Germany, the Asociacion del Futbol Argentino announced it would extend Maradona's contract to run through the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. 

The shocking decision that left the majority of Argentine fans appalled and scrambling to make Facebook groups in protest was covered in the fingerprints of the current political regime led by President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner and Minister of Justice Anibal Fernandez. 

After the government purchased the rights to first division matches in Argentina in 2009, a rally was held where Maradona handed Kirchner an Argentina jersey with her name on the back, one of many instances in which the current administration has used futbol as a political tool. 

During first division matches, the only commercials seen are political propaganda, at times making it nearly unwatchable. 

Now, after all the despair Argentina fans had been feeling, it appears that Maradona may be closer to walking away from his position as manager of Argentina than continuing. 

Even with all of the political implications surrounding the much publicized meeting with AFA President Julio Grondona (including seeing Maradona taking a trip to Venezuela to visit Hugo Chavez), it appears that Maradona will not adhere to the demands of Grondona. 

El Pibe de Oro stated that he would leave if Grondona tried to take away one of his assistants, while continuing to fight for the inclusion of fellow 1986 World Cup Winner Oscar Ruggeri into his staff. 

Following a meeting of over two hours, Maradona and Grondona left the AFA Headquarters in Ezeiza without making a statement to the media, but it is known that Grondona will meet tomorrow with the AFA executive committee to discuss the situation. 

With just a few weeks before Argentina's first post-World Cup friendly against Ireland in Dublin August 11th, the AFA must act fast. 

Tata Martino has decided to carry on as Paraguay's coach through the Copa America, eliminating the former Newell's Old Boys player from contention. 

Carlos Bianchi, a name always linked to the Argetnina job, has turned down numerous advances from both the AFA and Boca Juniors as it appears his coaching career may be over. 

Former River Plate boss Ramon Diaz is preparing to start the season with San Lorenzo, ruling out another coach with a glittering CV. 

That leaves Sergio Batista, a veteran of both the 1986 and 1990 World Cups, and current Under 20 team as the man in poll position, should Maradona decide to step down.

Batista was in the running two years ago to succeed Alfio Basile, but was surprisingly looked over in favor of Maradona, even though the former Argentinos Juniors star had recently taken Argentina's bright young generation of players to the Olympic Gold Medal in Beijing.

Batista was the perfect man to lead Argentina into South Africa 2010.

With a generation of players that won the 2004 and 2008 Olympic Golds and 2005 and 2007 Under 20 World Cups, everything seemed set for Argentina to take home the trophy with a proper coach.

In addition to having a great relationship with young players such as Sergio Aguero, Angel Di Maria, Pablo Zabeleta, and Sergio Romero, Batista was able to get Argentina's two most talented players, Juan Roman Riquelme and Lionel Messi, playing together regardless of their rough off the field relationship.

As it turned out, Maradona took over and clashed with Riquelme, played Messi out of position, and left bright young stars such as Ezequiel Garay, Federico Fazio, Pablo Zabaleta, Ever Banega, Ferando Gago and Jose Sosa (all involved in Argentina's successful Olympic Campaign under Batista) at home. 

All is not lost however. 

The majority of Argentina's top players have not yet reached their prime: Lionel Messi, Gonzalo Higuain, Angel Di Maria, Sergio Aguero, Sergio Romero, Javier Mascherano, and Carlos Tevez will all be 30 or younger in four years time. 

2014 will be the last chance to have this core group of players at the peak of their powers. 

With Maradona in charge, another four years will go down the drain, but if Batista is appointed, Argentina will enter every competition they enter amongst the favorites. 

The fate of Maradona and the National Team still hangs in the balance, and unfortunately for Argentina fans, politics may yet play a part, but at least there is hope that Argentina will have a real coach when it takes the field against Ireland next month, and more importantly when the World Cup kicks off in four years.