Menotti: "Argentina is capable of beating anybody" (13 Dec 2005 01:12 GMT)
Here are excerpts from the interview with Menotti, Argentina's 1978 World Cup winning coach:
Q: What do you expect of the 2006 World Cup in Germany?
A: I have great expectations because Germany is one of the most important sites in the world. It is a country where football plays a major role and is very well organised. The people know more about the game than in (South) Korea and Japan, and since it is the centre of Europe, more spectators with a good knowledge of football will be attending.
Q: Do you believe a European team will win the title?
A: There is hegemony. Historically it has always been the top teams who have won. The most recent exception was France (1998), which was not among the favourites but rose to the occasion as the hosts. There could be surprises, but we will have to wait a while to see in what condition the teams actually are when they arrive. We will have to see how the African teams play, because Nigeria, Cameroon and Senegal will not be there. This could well produce some surprises.
Q: Can we expect a tactical revolution at Germany 2006?
A: There has never been one. The only case, and that was not a tactical revolution but rather a concept backed by incredible players, was Holland 1974. That was certainly a tactical surprise. When I ran our national team (1974-82), I would get on an aeroplane and fly off to see a match. Nowadays I pick up the remote control and watch whatever I want on television ... that is why there can be no more surprises; the surprises can only come from the players.
Q: How is the Argentinean team doing?
A: It is clear that there is too much distress. When faced with adversity, the state of mind required to regroup is missing. But this is precisely what the great teams need. Argentina is obviously lacking this. I feel that it is unclear how they want to play. The team has not yet achieved the solid hierarchy that is gained by the players. But it does possess good footballers and is capable of beating anybody. I hope that (coach Jose) Pekerman will pick the players soon. The longer he waits, the more problems he will have. The players feel insecure, the press recommends line-ups, everybody expresses an opinion.
Q: What do you think of the proposal that Diego Maradona join the team's technical staff - an idea that he has already rejected?
A: I didn't like that manoeuvre. This is dangerous. It means that you are publicly exposing a coaching weakness, which, as far as I am concerned, does not exist. You don't send somebody somewhere if everything is going well, you don't change something that's working properly. But when Maradona shows up, then commentaries appear claiming there are problems among the players, and what the press publishes becomes more credible.
Q: Can you envisage coaching a team and having Maradona along with you, perhaps as some kind of manager?
A: I don't really know what he might be able to contribute. When I'm in charge, I decide who plays and who doesn't - and not Maradona, nor (Franz) Beckenbauer, nor even the president of the country, because the responsibility is solely mine in my position as coach.
Q: Do you want to go back to coaching?
A: I have a tremendous desire to coach, but I definitely don't what to do so in Argentina. I am in great conflict with all sectors, and I have no desire due to the confusion which prevails.
Q: Would you like to coach any other country?
A: It has to be a country where I can live in peace, like Mexico, Chile, Uruguay. I wouldn't go to work in a place I don't know. My decision is very closely related to the place and the project. I think I have earned the right to make some demands, such as to ask why they want me.
source : newKerala