The news came as Maradona, who has had only two brief stints as a coach, met Julio Grondona, the Argentina Football Association president, in Buenos Aires.

Argentina's Olympic goal medal-winning coach Sergio Batista had previously said he was optimistic about being offered the senior team job despite strong opposition from Carlos Bianchi and Maradona.

Lucia Newman, Al Jazeera's Latin American editor, said: "Argentinians know Maradona ... has a very troubled past.

"He is seen as too rich and too lazy.

"Has he beaten his demons? We understand he has been on the wagon and hasn't had any relapses recently, but he has been on-and-off for two decades."

'Something significant'

The post became vacant after Alfio Basile quit following the 1-0 World Cup qualifying defeat by Chile.

Batista is already set to lead the team in next month's friendly against Scotland in Glasgow on an interim basis.

"I don't want it to be a test, but instead the start of something significant," said Batista in an interview with the TyC cable sports channel, adding that he would not want to work as part of a team led by Maradona.

"It's difficult to be a candidate and then end up working as an assistant," he said.

Former Boca Juniors coach Bianchi was a favourite for the role and had been a clear leader in the online opinion polls being conducted by Argentine newspapers.

Maradona, was initially seen as a rank outsider because of his explosive temper and lack of coaching experience, but has emerged as a serious candidate after repeatedly expressing his interest.



Agencies