The Real Madrid official believes that all is not lost for 'El Diez'. Indeed, Valdano thinks that Maradona can prove himself to be the "best in the world"...

Though many have been doubting Diego Maradona's suitability for the Argentina national job, Real Madrid director general Jorge Valdano believes that the coach will prove his critics wrong.

Valdano, a former Argentina international, added that Maradona will cruise through the remaining World Cup qualifiers before he demonstrates his true qualities on the world's biggest stage in South Africa.

"He has the enormous challenge of taking Argentina to the World Cup," Valdano told AS.

"There are still two very difficult games to go, but I am convinced that he will qualify with no problems and that at the World Cup he will be able to show he is the best in the world as a trainer too."

Argentina face Peru and Uruguay in their final two qualification games, but there are no certainties that the two-time world champions will be among the planet's elite next summer.