By FRANCO PANIZO

Diego Maradona's first World Cup as a manager may have ended in a disastrous defeat, but that hasn't stopped the Argentina Federation from offering the soccer legend an extension.

The AFA have announced its plan to try and keep Maradona on as coach, and federation president Julio Grondona will meet with him next week to see if he sticks around for the next World Cup cycle, which ends in 2014 in Brazil.

While Maradona lacks coaching experience, he led Argentina to four consecutive wins at the World Cup. That was before the albiceleste suffered an embarrassing 4-0 loss to Germany in the quarterfinals, a loss that raised questions about Maradona's coaching abilities.

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Ronaldinho to stay with Milan

Despite reports claiming he was on the way to Brazilian club Flamengo, Ronaldinho is staying with AC Milan for the final year of his current contract. AC Milan vice-president Adriano Galliani not only said Ronaldinho was sticking with the Italian club, but he also stated that discussions about Ronaldinho's future will take place in the fall.

Johnson keen on Bradley joining Fulham

While it is uncertain how an American coach would be received at a Premier League club, one person backing the thought of U.S. head coach Bob Bradley joining Fulham is Eddie Johnson. 

Fresh off his loan spell with Greek club Aris Salonika, Johnson is back with the Cottagers and he believes Bradley could do a good job filling the team's vacant coaching position. Johnson said Bradley is similar to former manager Roy Hodgson in terms of preparation and style.

Heskey hangs international cleats

Emile Heskey has called it a career at the international level after winning 62 caps and scoring seven goals for England. Heskey retired following England's dismal World Cups showing, in which it was eliminated in the Round of 16 to a 4-1 loss to Germany. The 32-year-old Heskey, who played in four games in this summer's World Cup, made his debut for the Three Lions in April 1999 in a friendly vs. Hungary.

Ramires hoping to land on bigger club

Benfica midfielder Ramires is currently receiving interest from several clubs, and he is hoping he will make a move to one of the world biggest this summer. Currently linked with Chelsea and Bayern Munich, Ramires looks likely to latch onto one of the top clubs in Europe after his World Cup showing with Brazil.

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Think Argentina will have trouble qualifying for Brazil 2014 with Maradona at the helm? How do you see Ronaldinho faring with AC Milan this season? Think Johnson would earn lots of playing time with Bradley coaching Fulham? Consider Heskey's international career a success, a failure or something in between? Where do you think Ramires would fit in best?

Share your thoughts below.