The AFA have confirmed that Diego Maradona will not continue as Argentina's head coach, in a short statement released on their website.

"The AFA President, Julio Grondona, informed the members of the executive committee about his conversations with Diego Maradona, exposing the important points of the meeting", the communique released on Tuesday evening begins.

"The executive committee fully and unanimously resolved not to renew the contract of Diego Maradona as head coach of the Argentina national team."

Maradona, 49, took charge of the Albiceleste in late 2008. After a bright start his charges lost 6-1 in a farcical match in La Paz, but qualified for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa thanks to a late win over Peru in terrible conditions in Buenos Aires and another last-gasp victory in Montevideo against Uruguay.

Diego's World Cup campaign was ultimately to end in misery: three wins from three in a weak Group B was the least that was expected of Argentina; a win over Mexico in the Round of 16 was very much welcome, but a 4-0 demolition by Germany in the following stage saw to it that Diego returned home to an uncertain future, even though fans seemed to still be on his side.

The footballing authorities, however, opted not to retain the services of the former Napoli star, and his brief tenure in international management thus comes to an end.