Maradona dropped as Argentina coach

BUENOS AIRES, July 27 (UPI) -- Diego Maradona is out as the coach of the Argentina national soccer squad, the Argentine Football Association announced Tuesday.

Association officials said Maradona's contract would not be renewed after the club almost failed to qualify for the 2010 FIFA World Cup but then turned in a strong performance in South Africa, ultimately losing 4-0 to Germany in the quarterfinals.

The AFA unanimously decided Tuesday to drop the 49-year-old soccer icon, who led Argentina to its last World Cup championship as a player in 1986.

Maradona became Argentina's manager in November 2008. He was initially offered a four-year contract extension to lead Argentina through the 2014 World Cup turned it down because he wanted to keep his entire staff.