Diego Maradona [Images] will be given a role with Argentina's national team and could take over as coach following the 2006 World Cup, Argentina Football Association (AFA) president Julio Grondona said on Friday.

"Diego has been incorporated into the national team staff," Grondona told Radio La Red in an interview, one day after meeting Maradona to discuss his future with the national team.

Grondona said it is too early to say exactly what sort of role Maradona would perform but he dismissed rumours that coach Jose Pekerman would resign if he is given a powerful role.

"There's not much to say in terms of what he will or will not do," said Grondona.

"He will do whatever is necessary.. After [the friendlies against] England [Images] and Qatar, we will clear up the uneasiness and anxiety of certain media to see what one will do and what the other will do," he added.

Grondona, who on Thursday reiterated his backing for Pekerman, said that during the meeting, the coach had told Maradona: "You are the national team."

Maradona also tried to allay fears of a clash on Thursday, when he said that he did not want to tread on anyone's toes.

Grondona said he saw a bright future for Maradona, who has made an outstanding recovery after undergoing drugs rehabilitation last year and a gastric bypass operation in March.

"If things go according to plan, Maradona has a future with the national team and I don't think there's anyone who deserves it more," he said.

Asked whether Maradona could coach the side after the World Cup, Grondona replied: "If he carries on like this, then why not?"

"We will do our best for him so that, one day, he will be in charge of all this," he said.

• Complete football coverage