Diego Maradona is eager to stay in charge of the Argentina national side and wants his entire backroom staff to stay alongside him.
The legend is to hold talks with Argentinian Football Association president Julio Grondona on Monday over a new four-year deal.
“I really want to stay, but it depends on Grondona,” Maradona told El Show del Futbol on America TV.
“If they touch a hair of one of my guys, even if the masseur or the kitman, I’m going. I want to continue the adventure but not with (just) anyone. I chose these people. I want to continue working with them.”
Grondona has publicly criticised Oscar Ruggeri, one of Maradona’s assistants, but the manager insisted he wanted to retain the services of the former Argentina defender
“I already asked and I will continue to ask that Ruggeri joins me,” he added.
“It’s a constant struggle. This is the first thing I will discuss with Grondona.”
The 49-year-old guided Argentina to the World Cup where they were well beaten at the quarter-final stage 4-0 by Germany. The scale and manner of the defeat prompted suggestions that Maradona was out of his depth, but Grondona appeared to have seen enough to suggest that he deserved another chance.
“He took over at a very difficult moment and he qualified, which is important,” Grondona said of Maradona to Radio Mitre.
“And he finished fifth, better than in other World Cups – all of that should be valued.
“It seems to me to be only correct that he stay on. I don’t see why not.”
However, he added of Ruggeri: “His name was put forward by me, but we had lots of problems.
“And I’ll tell you something you may find funny – he was the defensive coach.”
