Dubai: The Al Wasl Sports Club announced on Monday the appointment of football legend Diego Maradona as head coach of Al Wasl Football Club, in a momentous development that will see the legend lead the team for the next two seasons.
The news comes after lengthy negotiations held with Maradona to lead the Al Wasl Football Club into new frontiers, the club said.
The announcement was preceded by a highly publicised visit by Maradona to Al Wasl Sports Club.
He was welcomed by Dr. Mohammad Ahmad Bin Fahad, Chairman of the Board of Al Wasl Sports Club; Marwan Bin Bayat, Chairman of Al Wasl Football Company; Sweidan Al Naboodah, Vice Chairman of Al Wasl Football Company; Ashraf Ahmad, the CEO of Al Wasl Football Company, members of the Board of Directors, and a number of sports leaders and officials of regulatory affairs at the club.
The event also garnered significant attention from local residents and Argentinian expatriates, who were eager to be in the presence of the football legend.
Commenting on the agreement, Marwan Bin Bayat said, "Al Wasl Sports Club has become synonymous with achievements of this calibre, and we are very pleased to be welcoming Maradona to a long line of accolades in the club's history. This partnership embodies the vision of the club as it embraces forward thinking developments in the region to establish unprecedented standards for the sport."
The significant milestone in the club's history was made under the patronage of Shaikh Ahmad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairman of Al Wasl Sports Club, and the continued support of Shaikh Majid Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President of Al Wasl Sports Club.
Bin Bayat added, "We are proud to be joining the ranks of international football with our latest endorsement of one of the greatest sports figures of all time. Maradona has led his teams to victory, and his enormous contributions to our players will be influential in inspiring football legends among our own. We dedicate this paramount turn of events to our loyal fans and thank the inspiring leaders of Al Wasl Sports Club who have been a beacon for what we can achieve and a catalyst for more success in the future."
Often dubbed as the eighth wonder of the world, Maradona's far-reaching legacy has spanned the globe and he has aptly been named "Player of the Century" by Fifa in a poll decided by the public.
He holds countless championships and cups in his international career, scoring 34 goals while playing in 95 national games with Argentina. He is widely credited for single-handedly winning the World Cup for Argentina in 1986 when he scored the ‘Goal of the Century' against England in a victory hailed around the world.
Maradona will be responsible for leading Al Wasl Football Club to new heights, as he propels the team to further success both locally and internationally.
Details of Maradona's contract will be revealed during a press conference that is expected to be held in the presence of the new coach during the first of week of June.
Bin Bayat did however confirm that the value of the contract is worthy of the stature and reputation of the great legend.
