Reports have circulated on Twitter that Al Wasl coach Diego Maradona has been dismissed from the club. Al Wasl Club denied the reports on Sunday. Amid controversies putting his future in doubt, we look at the highs and lows of the football legend's year with Al Wasl.
THE DOWNS
Scaling the terraces
Maradona scaled the terraces at the end of a 2-0 loss to Shabab in March to help his partner Veronica Ojeda escape a nasty confrontation between herself and rival fans. He later slammed those involved as “cowards”.
Sparring with Olaroiu
Called Al Ain coach Cosmin Olaroiu “quite rude” for celebrating disrespectfully in Al Wasl’s 1-0 loss in the etisalat Cup group stage in November. Olaroiu then insinuated Maradona was still on drugs.
The double ultimatum
In February and April, Maradona lobbied Al Wasl’s board for more transfer funds ahead of next season. The club told him he had already been allocated with adequate resources and he was forced to reverse his threats to quit.
Faith in Majed Nasser
Goalkeeper Majid Nasser retired after a 17-match ban for slapping Al Ahli coach Flores in the etisalat Cup semis in March. Maradona tempted Nasser back, only for him to punch and headbutt two players in the GCC Champions League final.
Claims of conspiracy
Be it refereeing decisions or consecutive sanctions against the club and its personnel, forcing them to play their home games away, Maradona continually insinuated that there were forces inside the UAE FA against him.
THE UPS
Publicity
The club reported a 1,600 per cent increase in global news coverage of the club since Maradona joined. Using industry rates, they estimated this media exposure to be worth Dh333 million.
GCC Champions League
They reached the final of the GCC Champions League, only to lose it on penalties, having gained a 3-1 lead from the first leg against Al Muharraq in Bahrain. This seemed to promise salvation for the club following a poor domestic season.
Bringing youngsters in
Faced with what Maradona had deemed a shortage of players with only 15-16 capable members in the squad, the Argentine was forced to field several youngsters who have been developing well.
Business boomed
At the half-way mark in the season, Al Wasl were boasting gate receipts of Dh600,000, 100 per cent up on the previous season. They also claimed return on investments of Dh17 million and a marketing profit of Dh10 million.
Accessibility
Maradona’s arrival prompted the club to revolutionise the way they engaged with fans via a range of online and social media in all languages. In person, Maradona also held weekly conferences and made time for fans and press.
