A top official of the Argentine Football Association is warning that the national team may fail to qualify for next year’s World Cup in South Africa, and he’s blaming coach Diego Maradona. “Nobody seems to realise that we have one foot in the intensive care unit,” said Enrique Merelas, a member of the AFA’s executive committee and a close friend of AFA president Julio Grondona. Merelas has been a consistent critic of Maradona’s coaching and management of the team.

“I can’t put up with the coaching staff any more, and I never agreed with hiring Maradona,” Merelas said in an interview late on Monday.

Argentina have lost two of their last three World Cup qualifying matches, prompting questions about Maradona’s coaching style and his tactics. The two-time World Cup winners are in fourth place in the qualifying group, the final spot that guarantees a place at next year’s World Cup in South Africa.

Merelas and Grondona have both urged Maradona to return Juan Roman Riquelme to the team. A skilled midfielder and playmaker, Riquelme retired from international football in March saying he and Maradona did not get along. Maradona criticised Riquelme’s play and overlooked him for several friendlies after he was named coach in November. He says Riquelme needs to apologise to get back on the team. “Why does he have to apologise to return?” Merelas asked.

Riquelme is a polemical figure. Some believe his organisation and passing are keys to Argentina’s attacking play. Others say he’s too laid back and doesn’t work hard enough for the team. Brazil lead the South American qualifying group with 27 points followed by Chile (26), Paraguay (24) and Argentina (22). They are followed by Ecuador (20), Uruguay (18), Colombia (17) and Venezuela (17).

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