Maradona, Argentine federation part ways

Diego Maradona's contract as national coach will not be renewed, the Argentine football association (AFA) announced late Tuesday, dpa reported.

AFA spokesman Cherquis Bialo announced the coach's departure in Buenos Aires, after talks on Monday between Maradona and association chief Julio Grondona failed to produce a contract extension.

A legendary striker who led Argentina to a world championship in 1986, the 49-year-old Maradona coached a team that struggled to qualify for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, where they were knocked out in a 4-0 quarter-final humiliation against Germany.