The Argentine Football Association decided not to hand Maradona a new deal following Argentina’s World Cup exit against Germany in the quarter-finals.
Maradona claims AFA president Julio Grondona and the technical director of the national teams, Carlos Bilardo, betrayed him.
“Grondona lied to me, Bilardo betrayed me,” explained Maradona.
“Grondona told me in the changing room after we were eliminated in South Africa … that he was very pleased with the work I’d done and he wanted me to stay on.
“When we were in mourning, Bilardo worked in the shadows to kick me out.
“They called me to put out a fire and then when I did, this happens.”
Grandona wanted Maradona to replace seven members of his coaching staff.
“He knows it’s impossible for me to continue without my coaching staff,” he continued.
“I defend everyone from the masseuse to the assistant because I have values and I’m not going to change.
“I’ve given my all for the Argentine soccer shirt … to wear this shirt again… And I’m convinced that the players felt this again … maybe that was my job.”
