Gabriel Heinze has cautioned Diego Maradona to think carefully before stepping down as Argentina coach.
Defender urges coach not to make any hasty decisions
Gabriel Heinze has cautioned Diego Maradona to think carefully before stepping down as Argentina coach.
Controversial manager Maradona suggested he was likely to resign from the post in the immediate aftermath of Argentina's 4-0 thrashing by Germany in Saturday's World Cup quarter-final.
After a disappointing group campaign, Argentina improved in the knockout stages, but were ultimately outclassed by a raging German side in Cape Town.
However, Argentine defender Heinze is adamant the team has improved and believes Maradona could regret making any snap decisions over his future as coach.
Decision
"Now is not the time to make these decisions," said Heinze. "Surely it would be better to wait until the emotion has cooled.
"Maradona has worked very well and it would be great for him to continue."
Maradona's tactical insight has been questioned after the world's best player, Lionel Messi, finished the tournament having not scored a goal.
The 49-year-old also unaccountably kept Inter Milan's UEFA Champions League hero Diego Milito on the bench during his team's collapse against Germany, but Heinze has rebuffed criticism of the coach's strategy.
"I will defend the selection and I will defend this group," he added. "We can take some positive things from our performances in South Africa.
"But as always results are the most important thing and we screwed up."
Maradona, who almost single-handedly took Argentina to World Cup glory as a player in 1986, commended his side's display despite their brutal exit.
Style
"We could not make our dream come true, but you always find a way back," said Maradona.
"The most important thing is that we played in the right style.
"I may eventually leave but I want these boys to go on. I want them to showcase what they are and showing what real Argentinean football is."
