Juan Sebastian Veron has said Diego Maradona should be given time in the Argentina hotseat despite his inexperience, while distancing himself from the conflict between Maradona and technical director Carlos Bilardo.
Veron had called for perspective after Argentina's error-riddled qualification for the 2010 World Cup, irking Maradona, but the midfielder has now said Maradona should be given time to improve, pointing to successful managers at club level who relied more on instinct than experience, as Maradona will have to.
"I think and hope there will be modifications because I know the self-criticism is there. Obviously we hope changes are made...for the good of everyone. There are cases of coaches with no experience in which things went very well for us (at Estudiantes), as happened with (Diego) Simeone or (Alejandro) Sabella. You just have to give them time."
Former Argentina midfielder Simeone coached Veron's Estudiantes to the league title in 2006. Former national assistant coach Sabella took charge of the team this year and steered them to their fourth South American crown in July.
Meanwhile, Veron refused to take sides in the stoush between his coach and Bilardo, who played with Veron's father. Maradona was annoyed with Bilardo during the World Cup qualifiers over the alleged interference of the technical director in team affairs.
"For me it's not easy to be in the middle of an internal [conflict] between Diego and Bilardo because they are two people I care for," the 34-year-old Veron said at the presentation of the shirt Argentina will wear at the World Cup finals in South Africa. "But it's not a problem because I've always managed to keep on the fringe ... they are two men who resolve their issues in their own way, as they see fit, and I don't get involved."
