Following reports that Maradona was on the verge of becoming the Iraq national team's new manager, the Iraqi Football Association has made it clear that this will definitely not be happening.

From The National:

"There is no negotiation between Iraqi Football Association with Diego Maradona and it doesn't have any intention to hire him," the deputy IFA head Abdul-Khaliq Masoud told the Associated Press over the phone. The denial came a day after an Argentine football official was quoted as saying that Maradona was a leading candidate to succeed Zico, the former Brazil standout, as the coach of Iraq, who remain strong contenders to reach the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.

Meanwhile, Maradona's agent claims that Iraq will be choosing between his client and Sven-Goran Eriksson. Maradona has been serving as a consultant for Al Wasl since he was sacked as their manager after justa year. Eriksson is apparently serving as technical director for a Thai club.

Even if this gig doesn't work out for Maradona, we have to find a job for him that will put him on the touchline at the 2014 Brazil World Cup. He was one of the highlights of the last World Cup as he took Argentina to the quarterfinals and he would surely delight in antagonizing all of Brazil. This needs to happen.