Maradona quit claims ‘misinterpreted’

The 1986 World Cup winner is struggling to galvanise his side to qualification for next year’s tournament in South Africa, but says talk of resignation is wide of the mark at this stage.

In the build up to the forthcoming, must-win games against Peru and Uruguay, Maradona was allegedly quoted as saying failure to reach the World Cup would catapult his resignation towards the Argentinean FA.

However, the ‘Hand of God’ legend has declared he was grossly misinterpreted and is here to stay, saying:

“I'm not giving up nor am I going. I never said I could resign.

“I only said that after the qualifiers I had to meet with [FA President] Julio Grondona to talk about what happened during the whole of this year.

“I even had to organise a meeting with the players to tell them that this wasn't true.”

Maradona instead proclaimed he is feeling positive going into his side’s next two fixtures, with Argentina needing to win both games and hope other results go their way if they are to qualify automatically for next summer's global showpiece.

“I am feeling good and know we have to play well against Peru on Saturday and win and then go to Uruguay and do something there as well," he said.

“They are the two most important games in my career as a coach and I am confident."