Can Alan Pardew lead Southampton back to the Championship? Tom Powell previews the betting.

Diego Maradona could return to the role of Argentina coach after national team director Carlos Bilardo refused to rule out the possibility.

The Argentinian Football Association (AFA) did not renew the 1986 World Cup winner’s contract after he led his country to the World Cup quarter-finals in South Africa.

But the 49-year-old has not been ruled out of contention for the future as Bilardo has confirmed that a list of possible successors has yet to be agreed.

“If Diego comes and talks, I don’t know what can happen. It’s all a question of talking,” Bilardo told news channel Todo Noticias.

“I would not close any door. We are awaiting the outcome. Anything can happen.

“My job is to suggest people who can work and then the executive committee are those who decide. But we still have not talked with anyone or come up with anyone’s names.

“The possibility of another meeting (between Maradona and the AFA) exists.”

Maradona’s side suffered a 4-0 defeat to Germany in the last eight of the World Cup this summer.

Argentina’s next game is a friendly against Republic of Ireland on 11th August in Dublin, and current Under-20 boss Sergio Batista has been placed in temporary charge for the fixture.

Can Alan Pardew lead Southampton back to the Championship? Tom Powell previews the betting.

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