PANAMA CITY, June 16: Argentine footballing legend Diego Maradona has offered to coach the national team for nothing after their flop in the World Cup finals.

“I’d coach the team, even for free,” Maradona told reporters here where he is on holiday at the invitation of veteran boxer Roberto Duran.

“I’ve always said, and I repeat it, that I’d coach my country’s team without being paid a single real,” Maradona added Saturday.

“I’m ready to coach Argentina as soon as I’m asked.”

Maradona led his nation to the World Cup in 1986.

This year, Argentina were one of the pre-tournament favourites but crashed out in the first round of the ‘Group of Death’.

Maradona said the country’s players lacked pride in their national shirt.

“Today the players think first about how much they can earn instead of thinking about representing their country, their nation and their roots,” he said.

Argentine midfielder Juan Sebastian Veron has said the World Cup failure will remain engraved on his mind for the rest of his life.

“I am very critical of myself and this World Cup will leave a feeling of unfinished business. I don’t know if that feeling will ever go away,” the Manchester United star said as he arrived back in Buenos Aires Saturday.

Coach Marcelo Bielsa has indicated he may step down in the coming weeks.—AFP