Abu Dhabi: Diego Maradona has vowed to take Emirati players with him to Europe after being unveiled as the new chairman of Belarusian side Dynamo Brest at Emirates Palace in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday.

The 57-year-old Argentine legend joined Brest after being sacked by Fujairah last month for failing to secure automatic promotion to the Arabian Gulf League. Fujairah U-turned on their decision and tried to bring him back in time for the play-offs, which they eventually won, but he instead opted for a move to Belarus.

The UAE may not entirely lose out in the bargain however, as the 1986 World Cup winner, has said he will look to reuniting with a few of his old players.

“I’m talking as the chairman of the club that I will acquire UAE players for my team,” he said. “Whether they are Emirati, Italian or Spanish, I have a lot of love for the players that I have coached, so don’t be surprised if tomorrow we have three Emirati players in my team.”

Speaking of his former side Fujairah, he said: “When we went to Holland, we were a random group and it was like high school. But, when we came back to Fujairah, we had an idea of how we wanted to play football and now they are not afraid of the challenges.

“I want to congratulate my boys at Fujairah and I say my boys and not anyone else. Maybe also the president of the club who has been very good to me,” added the former Boca, Barcelona and Napoli forward, who also managed Al Wasl for a season back in 2011/12 before being sacked halfway through a two-year contract.

“I was kicked from Al Wasl with a tweet and at Fujairah the same thing happened. I was sent home with a tweet. But I still believe in people and that’s why I believe in these people and cannot wait to start working with my new team for the people of Belarus.

“I have encountered many good memories. I travelled 150 km to go from my home [on Palm Jumeirah in Dubai] to Fujairah and back every day and the boys of Fujairah are in my heart always.

“I live a beautiful life in the UAE and leaving for Belarus doesn’t mean I’m going forever from Dubai. Dubai is an important place for me because I consider myself an Emirati citizen.

“It’s a place I plan to live in after I retire,” he added of the UAE. “I want to thank many people in this country who have had a significant influence on me. Firstly, the President His Highness Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces.

“His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, Shaikh Hamdan Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Princess Haya Bint Al Hussain, who have all played a leading role in sports and promoting peace.

Maradona also hailed the vision of Shaikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs, and owner of Manchester City Football Club.

“A very important point I would like to stress is on the vision of Shaikh Mansour Bin Zayed with Manchester City. They have become a world power in football. I wish, some day, I cooperate with Shaikh Mansour.

“In my heart, there is a ball beating. I can be the chairman of Dynamo Brest and of course this is a new challenge for me. From player to coach, and from coach to chairman, it’s not something that can be taught in a meeting. We will have meetings with the club and we’ll do our best with Dynamo Brest. I want a very competitive team.”