Marseille manager, Andre Villas-Boas has petitioned FIFA to retire the No. 10 jersey from football in honour of Argentine icon, the late Diego Maradona.

News broke on Wednesday about the demise of the 60-year old who suffered a cardiac arrest at his home in Argentina, weeks after undergoing brain surgery. The football fraternity was hit and tributes have been poured to acknowledge one of the proficient personalities in football yet according to the former Chelsea star, it would be a good idea if his jersey number is detached from the game.

This is bad news," Villas-Boas said. "I also lost a board member [at Porto] who was very important to me. He was the first person who opened the door to the world of coaching for me.

"[Maradona's] death is really bad news, and I would like FIFA to withdraw the No.10 shirt in all competitions and for all teams. This would be the best tribute we could give to him. It is an incredible loss for the world of football."

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Fellow Argentine and manager of Leeds United, Marcelo Bielsa in his testimonial revealed how he was hit by the news of the death of ‘his idol’ and further outlined the significance of the iconic figure in World football during his time.

 “He was for us, and will continue to be, an idol,” Bielsa, who managed the Argentina national side from 1998 to 2004, said.

“Given the fact he is not with us any more brings great sadness. We have lost an idol and it makes us feel weak.

“What really stood out was his relationship with the public. Everything he did as a footballer was of a beauty which cannot be matched.

“Maradona was an artist. Players with such individual brilliance – they don't know what it is to play with pressure.”