A World Cup without France, Argentina or Portugal might previously have been unthinkable. Now it's a very real possibility for each of these world powers, and failure to qualify for the showpiece event in South Africa next year will have dire consequences for the employment of some of the highest profile managers in the international game.
Does Maradona have what it takes to be a top boss?
Sven Goran Eriksson, sacked by Mexico after failing to impress, was the biggest name to fall from the qualifiers this year although El Tri are now in a decent position to get through. But a bad result or two could also see the likes of Diego Maradona, Raymond Domenech and Carlos Queiroz relieved of their duties in disgrace.
In truth, these three have been walking a tightrope for some time and many would argue that they have not proved that they have what it takes to manage an international side. Domenech, of course, is the exception having led France to the World Cup final in 2006 but that now seems a lifetime away after abject failure at Euro 2008.
Argentina's Maradona, appointed in a flurry of emotion, is a name, an icon, and not a coach; Domenech has been living on borrowed time since his failure to get France out of their group at Euro 2008; while Portugal's Queiroz, it could be argued, has never impressed when given the managerial reigns - although remains a talented No.2.
The problem appears to be the reluctance of football associations to go back on their decisions. Maradona in particular is almost assured his place at the front of the national team because of the presence he has in the country.
But when he was presented almost a year ago, many criticised the appointment as one without footballing sense. The side were already struggling - having won just one match in seven at the end of Alfio Basile's reign - and the appointment of a man without any success as a coach, who had been out of the game for 13 years and who had a history of issues in his private life was deemed bizarre. But the AFA stood firm.
The hearts ruled the head for a second, yet no-one listened when Bolivia put six past them. The altitude was the cause in La Paz, but those in charge still appear to be dizzy from Maradona mania. A struggling win over Colombia, then defeat to Ecuador and finally, what would normally be a nail in the coffin, a home hammering against Brazil, was not enough to seal his fate and it seems only Argentine failure to qualify from CONMEBOL (for the first time in 40 years) will see him removed.
The fact that Maradona has called up 62 players, 29 of whom have one cap or none, suggests a desperate search for squad depth. Ten of the current squad ply their trade in Argentina (a high number given the resources on offer) and he has also attempted to use no less than six goalkeepers - none of whom have impressed.
Indeed, his approach to his squad has hindered Argentina's hopes. His refusal to play Juan Roman Riquelme and the overlooking of players who could add greatly to his armoury - notably Gonzalo, Esteban Cambiasso and Gonzalo Higuain - is his own fault, as are his tactics. Although perhaps he should never have been put in that position in the first place.
Standing only two points from elimination with three to play, Maradona cannot afford defeat against third-placed Paraguay; especially as the last qualifier is a tough away test in Uruguay. One feels he may need more than a 'Hand of God' to help him.
Queiroz made his name as a No.2.
In a similar position, Queiroz's Portugal could find themselves out of contention completely if they lose to Erwin Koeman's resurgent Hungary. While Queiroz does not hold anything like the kind of aura of Maradona, the Portuguese FA have perhaps been blinded by his excellent record as a No.2 at Manchester United. One look at his ten month spell in charge of Real Madrid suggests that he does not have the credentials to take charge of an international team.
Like Maradona, he has a host of talented players to choose from - including the best in the world, Cristiano Ronaldo - but the results have been poor enough to suggest he should have been sacked a long time ago. A 4-0 win over Malta may have started things off well, but failure to win any of the subsequent four matches, including 0-0 draws with Sweden and Albania, mean he could have been handed his P45 back in November - particularly after the 6-2 friendly drubbing against Brazil.
Worringly, Queiroz seems to blame his players. "They need to do more," Queiroz said back in March. "There's no reason why [Cristiano] Ronaldo, Nani, Simao, Maniche and Tiago shouldn't play as well when they are on international duty as they do for their club teams." Surely the onus is on the manager to motive them and not just pass the buck, but it won't be an easy task to hold onto his job for a man labelled ''dull'' and ''theoretical'' by a country still pining for the passionate dynamism of Felipe Scolari.
Another on borrowed time is France's Domenech, the source of much debate since the French FA decided not to ditch him after their failure at Euro 2008 and dreadful start in qualifying. Having somehow managed to keep his job since 2004, Domenech no longer has the respect of his countrymen and, while they have enjoyed a mini-revival since the opening defeat to Austria, Les Bleus are back in the spotlight after dreadful performances against the Faroe Islands and Romania.
The FFF president, Jean-Pierre Escalettes, has pledged his support to his charge in the past, saying: "He has the job of qualifying us for the World Cup. And I repeat that even if we have to go into the play-offs, it's still Raymond Domenech's job." But he was a shock choice when it was announced and many have questioned his suitability for the top job.
Many expected a former World Cup winner like Laurent Blanc or Jean Tigana to be given the role, but the FFF were swayed by Domenech's decade worth of experience with the French Under-21 side, if not by his attempts to bring Lyon into the public consciousness in the early 90s. One could still argue, despite a Zinedine Zidane-inspired World Cup final appearance, that it was the wrong choice and certainly that he should have been removed in 2008.
Domenech's results have not met expectations.
Recent quotes from Thierry Henry suggested that the squad does not back his tactical acumen and while he was not so bold as to suggest that the side had ''no style, no guidance and no identity" (as first reported), it is easy to see the point as the side have struggled for direction since the retirement of 'Zizou'.
Defeat to Serbia would end their hopes of automatic qualification and, while they remain in a decent position to qualify via the play-offs, the potential banana skin of a team like Croatia, Russia or Greece could finally end Domenech's reign.
Ultimately, the managers will take the blame, should the worst occur. But the reality is that the criticism should be levelled at the associations for their blind faith in bosses who should not have been entrusted with the responsibility of leading their nations for so long.
Of course, should the sides reverse their fortunes and scrape through to South Africa then they will claim their decisions have been justified; but, looking back, they may live to regret not choosing to cut the cord sooner.
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