SAO PAULO, April 9: Diego Maradona is considering the possibility of coaching Argentina after the World Cup, and believes Ronaldinho is in a different class to other players. Maradona made the comments shortly after arriving in Brazil late on Friday for an indoor soccer friendly between former national team players from Brazil and Argentina.

“Yeah, I'm considering the possibility of coaching Argentina,” Maradona said. “But it's hard to talk about this right now, when we have (Jose) Pekerman on the job and just before the Cup. This is something for the future.”

Maradona's agent and former player, Alejandro Mancuso, confirmed the star's intentions.

“His name is always mentioned when there's talk about the national team's coach,” Mancuso said. “He wants to do it, of course.”

However, Maradona said Pekerman would likely secure his job for a long time if Argentina wins the World Cup in Germany.

“Then I could become an option for the youth squads, or as a coordinator, we'll see,” Maradona said.

The Argentine great hailed Brazil midfielder Ronaldinho as the best player in the world, and said he was playing at a different level to other players.—AP