With the World Cup starting to heat up Lessons Learnt reflects on some of the top stories.
With the World Cup starting to heat up Lessons Learnt reflects on some of South Africa's top stories. Here, Alex Dunn talks Diego, Dunga and tearful North Koreans
Diego Maradona is proving almost as entertaining a coach as he was bewitching a player. Few men can claim a history as interwoven with the World Cup's rich tapestry as the now skunk faced tactician, whose biting off-field quips have clashed markedly with much of the conservatism served on it.
As a player his virtuoso displays in leading a mediocre Argentina side to glory in Mexico '86 will perhaps never be eclipsed, but as a coach there are those that wondered whether he'd suffered a relapse in his recovery from various addictions, such was the absurdity of his decision to use nigh on 70 players in qualification and omit Esteban Cambiasso and Javier Zanetti from his final 23.
Prior to arriving in South Africa the Argentines were seen as a side heavy on talent but hamstrung by an unhinged coach, who Uefa president Michel Platini had remarked: "As a coach, he's a very good player."
There is no love lost between Maradona and the Frenchman and even less so with his long-time South American sparring partner Pele. In an entertaining press briefing on Wednesday old wounds were reopened as Maradona responded to Pele's claim that he had only taken the Argentina job because of money difficulties by snapping: "Pele should go back in the museum."
In an industry where journalists can all but write their copy before a coach opens his mouth, Maradona is a godsend; as fast with his gob as he was with his feet in his playing days. When he broke out into song to celebrate an Argentine hack's birthday he looked like a man totally at ease with the situation - maybe that's what happens when you have Lionel Messi in your side.
He's certainly not likely to be misquoted given his history for taking pot shots with his air rifle at journalists who rile him.
There are those that accuse him of being an ego-maniac, but is there not a little of the Jose Mourinho about his desire to deflect the attention away from his players? The mood in the Argentine camp seems harmonious and relaxed, with the sight of half his side in training stood on the goalline, bent over with their arses in the air while the remaining squad members spanked balls at them unlikely to be replicated under Capello's watch. Those shooting seemed to have little trouble getting the cursed Jabulani on target.
As I write Gonzalo Higuain has just added a brilliant third to complete his hat-trick, as Argentina clock up their second win of the tournament with a 4-1 defeat of South Korea. Not bad for a team with a mad man at the helm...
* Talking of the Jabulani - the most scorned inanimate object at the World Cup other than the vuvuzela and Mick McCarthy - Fabio Capello has added his considerable weight behind an ever increasing list of detractors. In an uncharacteristically candid interview the England chief claimed 'it is the worst ball I have ever seen in my life'.
The Italian went on to say: "It's good when you play short passes, but when you try to switch to long passes it's really difficult to understand the trajectory. On the floor it's good. Longer it's more difficult."
Some things don't need further comment...
* Rumours abound with regards how much DPR Korea nationals really know about their side's 2-1 defeat to Brazil on Tuesday night. Apparently Winston Smith has been sacked
