A year with Maradona – in his own words

George Bush senior wanted him silenced â his vocal support of the Cuban Revolution was an embarrassment to the yanquis.

The Italian government wanted him silenced â his criticism of the Pope was causing considerable discomfort in the Vatican.

Now FIFA want to ban him for five games in the hope that it will silence him.

Look to history and learn, decision makers of FIFA. You have no chance.

It is a year to the day that Diego Armando Maradona faced the press for the very first time as the Argentina national team coach.

It has been nothing short of what we expected, so to honour El Diez, hereâÂÂs a look back at the first 365 days of the Diego Era in the words of the Little Big Man himself.

âÂÂYou can pull out all the surveys you want, but here itâÂÂs the boss who decides.âÂÂ
On not being first, second, third or fourth choice for the job, pointing out that online straw polls donâÂÂt make decisions when it comes to football in Argentina. ThatâÂÂs what AFA president Julio âÂÂThe Bossâ Grondona does.

âÂÂFirst things first, Argentina donâÂÂt play friendlies. They play international matches.âÂÂ
Before naming the squad for his first game in charge â a friendly against Scotland. The phrase was met with cheers. In the press room.

âÂÂIâÂÂm not afraid of my crown falling.âÂÂ
On whether he was worried about tarnishing his playing reputation.

âÂÂItâÂÂs Mascherano plus 10.âÂÂ
On team selection just after taking over as coach.

âÂÂItâÂÂs Mascherano and Messi plus 9.âÂÂ
On team selection a few months into the job.

âÂÂItâÂÂs Mascherano, Messi and Jonás plus 8.âÂÂ
On team selection after the friendly with Russia.

âÂÂObama got to where he is because he was allowed to choose the guys he wanted in his team, so why canâÂÂt I?âÂÂ
On not being allowed to add Oscar Ruggeri to his backroom staff.

âÂÂIt seems like he's got PMT. It's got to stop. What does he want me to do? Give him a kiss on the lips? Every time the national team play, I open Olé and there's Checho.âÂÂ
On why he didnâÂÂt want national youth team coach Sergio âÂÂChechoâ Batista in his backroom staff.

âÂÂIf Riquelme canâÂÂt beat his man, then heâÂÂs no good to me.âÂÂ
Days before Riquelme grabbed his toys and quit the national team.

âÂÂMessi is the best in the world. He is my Maradona.âÂÂ
On Leo Messi.

âÂÂWhat do you expect? Pelé made his debut with a boy.âÂÂ
Brushing off criticism from Pelé. And he wasnâÂÂt talking about the legendâÂÂs first gameâ¦

âÂÂYou donâÂÂt look like you do much exercise, so imagine ifâ¦âÂÂ
Start of his response to a rather corpulent journalist who audaciously questioned/criticised Maradona over the squad not training in the morning.

âÂÂThe turtle escaped.âÂÂ
On Pablo Zabaleta arriving for international duty with an injury after being called up for the first time.

âÂÂThe pitch I played on in Villa Fiorito was better than RiverâÂÂs.âÂÂ
On the state of the pitch at River Plate.

âÂÂThe dressing rooms look like they did in the 1978 World Cup.âÂÂ
On the state of the facilities at River Plate.

âÂÂI am pleased that all Argentines, from any corner of the country, will be able to watch and enjoy football - which offers us so much happiness. This initiative, which permits all Argentines to see big sporting events for free, manages to pluralize the sport, its examples, and its lessons.âÂÂ
Open letter allegedly written by Maradona in support ofFútbol Para Todos.

âÂÂWhen Peru equalized, I was dead. But I had forgotten about Saint Palermo.âÂÂ
After Boca striker Martín PalermoâÂÂs Shawshank Redemption performance.

âÂÂIâÂÂm not quitting, nor am I leaving.âÂÂ
Days after sayingâ¦

âÂÂIâÂÂll talk to Grondona and see if I carry on, but itâÂÂll be on my conditions.âÂÂ
In the build-up toâ¦

âÂÂTo the ladies present, sorry, but to those who didnâÂÂt believe me, they can suck it. And they can keep on sucking it.âÂÂ
Before starting press conference after securing qualification for the World Cup with away win over Uruguay. Moments beforeâ¦

âÂÂYou take it up the arse.âÂÂ
Interjection while one local journalist was halfway through a question.

âÂÂI donâÂÂt have to apologise. Those who criticised me and the team are anti-Argentine and donâÂÂt want the team to qualify for the World Cup. I canâÂÂt forgive something like that.âÂÂ

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