Fujairah: Diego Maradona will make it an impossible task for anyone who wants to beat his new side Fujairah, he said at his unveiling on Sunday.
The 56-year-old Argentine legend signed a one-year deal with the Wolves last Sunday and will now look to get the second division side back into the UAE’s top flight.
#DiegoMaradona unveiled as @Fuj_FC coach @GulfNewsSport #UAE #welcome_maradona pic.twitter.com/4ecTbKy34w
— Ashley Hammond (@ashleymhammond) May 14, 2017
“I will work very strongly, and for those who think they can beat Fujairah or Maradona, I will make this task impossible for everyone, because mentality we are very strong. This is now my house,” said the 1986 World Cup winner.
“We will create a team and attract players to guarantee we play at the highest level, ready to compete against any rival. Football does not know fear, only joy and entertainment.”
The former Boca Juniors, Barcelona and Napoli striker, also said he returned to management in the UAE because he felt he owed it to the country.
“The UAE saved me and opened the doors when all other doors were closed,” he said in reference to his first stint here when he spent a season in charge of Dubai’s Al Wasl back in 2011.
“We were working at Al Wasl to create a big team, but someone fooled me,” he added of that experience.
However, the former Argentine No. 10 creator quickly added of the UAE in general: “I’m grateful to them because at the time when I had no job, they opened the doors and provided me with opportunities.
“To me, it is not just about money. It’s about my feelings,” he said of the reasons for his return. “My parents always taught me to be grateful to those who assist you and do you favours.
“I could have gone to a thousand places around the world, but I have chosen this country and I would honestly never like to leave, no matter what offers I get. I am the son of Dubai and the UAE.
“The seven years I have lived here have been some of the best in my life,” he added of staying on in the emirates after Al Wasl as an ambassador for Dubai Sports Council.
“It is difficult for me to move around elsewhere, because I am surrounded by fans, but now I consider Fujairah as my home and I hope to continue here for many years to come and go back to achieving glory.
“Everything that happened in the past is history, now there is only Fujairah and I would like to put all emotions and passions, physically and mentally into this project. I received many offers to go elsewhere but my agent and I are now separated, he’s stopped and my only agent now is Fujairah.
“Fujairah is my priority and I will give it my full time and not think of anything else to distract me.”
