Maradona dropped as Argentina coach

BUENOS AIRES, (Reuters) – Diego Maradona’s stormy  spell as Argentina coach came to an end yesterday when the  Argentine Football Association (AFA) voted unanimously not to  renew his contract.

Maradona’s future had been in doubt since Argentina’s 4-0  thrashing by Germany in the World Cup quarter-finals in South  Africa this month, less than two years since his  headline-grabbing appointment.

“There needed to be some changes among Diego’s staff …  and we couldn’t come to an agreement,” AFA chief Julio Grondona  told reporters. “No one’s being kicked out, a contract hasn’t  been renewed because we didn’t have the conditions to do so.”

An AFA spokesman cited “unbridgeable differences” with the  flamboyant Maradona, who led Argentina to World Cup victory as  captain in 1986 and is adored by many Argentines.

The team’s earlier-than-expected exit from the tournament  followed a shaky qualifying campaign, but the former player was  still given a hero’s welcome when the squad returned home and  President Cristina Fernandez urged him to stay on.

Several dozen fans, some banging drums and chanting,  gathered outside the AFA’s headquarters after yesterday’s  announcement.