Dubai: Diego Maradona has expressed his sadness at Al Wasl’s decision to dispense with his services, in a statement released yesterday via his Buenos Aires-based lawyer and legal representative Andrea Milagros.
In the statement made available to Gulf News via Milagros, the 51-year-old Argentine coach said: “In relation to the last press release from Al Wasl board of directors, regarding the termination of their contract with their technical staff, I want to communicate that it has always been my wish and intention to stay in this marvellous country, which has treated me so well.
In their statement late on Tuesday night, Al Wasl Club said: “Following a meeting held by the board of directors of Al Wasl Football Company held Tuesday, to evaluate the technical staff of Al Wasl Football Team under the leadership of coach Diego Maradona, it was decided to terminate the services of coach Maradona and his technical staff.”
“I’m extremely thankful to His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, for his warm welcome, and for having given me the opportunity to manage a team in Dubai,” Maradona said.
The statement added: “During the last dates we have been discussing different players to reinforce the team, that is a requirement to be competitive and aspire to win trophies during next season, to make all supporters and team members proud of us, especially Shaikh Mohammad, who has made such a huge effort to bring me to this Emirate, and to whom I will be eternally grateful.
Maradona added: “Unfortunately the new board has made a public statement I do not agree with, as my wish was and is to respect my two year contract in Al Wasl. In case our economic restrictions do not allow us invest so heavily in players, there has and will always exist alternative smart and more conservative options to be discussed with the new management.
“Beyond all this, His Highness Major General Shaikh Ahmad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Head of Dubai Police and Public Security and President of Al Wasl Club has also transmitted to me his full support and collaboration, and I am also extremely thankful to him for his trust in me, and for the care and respect I have received from him and the Emirati population.
“Due to all the above, I hope to have a meeting in the coming days with the new board, in order to discuss and clarify all these topics, and I’m absolutely sure we will be able to reach good solution for all, especially for the Al Wasl team.”
