Sport | Football
Maradona hands Al Wasl ultimatum
Argentine coach says he may quit if he doesn't get more transfer funds
- By Ashley Hammond, Staff Reporter
- Published: 00:03 February 8, 2012
- Image Credit: AP
- Coach Diego Maradona has issued an ultimatum to the board of Al Wasl in request for more transfer funds in order to stay fully competitive next season
Dubai: Coach Diego Maradona has issued an ultimatum to the board of Al Wasl in request for more transfer funds in order to stay fully competitive next season.
Despite having bought Mohammad Khalatbari and Juan Mercier in place of Edson Puch and Ricard Porta during the January transfer window, an ill-tempered Maradona, said during his weekly press call on Tuesday: “Unfortunately I had a list of players I wanted to sign [in the transfer window] but this was not possible due to a restrictive budget. We have to make the most of what we have. Next season I will not accept a small budget. We need a big budget to give us a boost and added value to make us competitive. Without this I may be forced to submit my resignation to the chairman.
Unfortunately I had a list of players I wanted to sign [in the transfer window] but this was not possible due to a restrictive budget. We have to make the most of what we have. Next season I will not accept a small budget
“This is not a threat but I want for Al Wasl to be in the same situation as other teams that have reinforced recently especially the likes of Walter Zenga at Al Nasr who has been able to buy Luca Toni. I want similar. It’s not unachievable.
“I just want to clarify I’m very happy here but there are certain things that need addressing. We need strong and skillful players to give us added value and let us compete. But I am happy here.”
When criticized by press over his selections Maradona added: “I’ve played to the tactics I thought appropriate and with the players that have been made available to me. Sometimes it’s easier to fire or blame the coach because it’s better to get rid of one person. You cannot get rid of 30 players. You cant blame all of them.”
It was thought Maradona entered the conference in a bad mood because his ‘closed’ training session had been made open to the public. Mardona said of this incident: “I ordered closed training but there were people inside the stadium watching, which means someone is not doing their job. This is unacceptable and I cannot do a job under these conditions. I will meet with the chairman to discover who has neglected their duties and if it continues I will not be able to work under these circumstances.
“To have one training session out of five days closed to the public is not too much to ask. I will meet with the chairman and the people responsible will be replaced.”
When asked about his linking with the vacant UAE national team coaching position, Maradona said: "I've had no contact with the FA or even the club management about this. I'm happy to hear of the interest in me from the FA and it would be an honour to coach the UAE team. It makes me happy and proud to be on the shortlist of coaches but as I've said before I have a contractual obligation with Al Wasl."
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