Diego Maradona has been invited to a 'farewell ceremony' by United Arab
Emirates club Al Wasl after they sacked him as coach, a senior official
said on Wednesday.
The club added that the ceremony would “reflect the unique and strong relationship" between them and the mercurial Argentine.
The 51 year-old World Cup winner's two-year contract, signed in May
2011, was terminated on Tuesday by the club's board after a trophy-less
season that saw Al Wasl finish eighth in the 12-team UAE Pro League.
"We have not decided on a timeframe (for the ceremony) and it depends on
Maradona's response," club vice-chairman Mohammed bin Dokhan told
reporters through an interpreter.
He said Maradona, who was sacked with all his support staff, had not yet replied.
Some hours later, however, Maradona published a statement on his
personal website (www.diegomaradona.com) thanking Al Wasl for the chance
they had given him to be their coach and suggesting they could still
reach an agreement about signings to strengthen the team.
"It was always my wish to stay in that wonderful land that so welcomed
me and I am totally grateful to the sheikh, especially for having
received me and given me the opportunity to coach a team from the
Emirates," he said.
"Unfortunately, the club made a statement that I don't agree with,
because my wish was and is to carry on coaching Al Wasl and if it is
impossible for the club to buy players, due to a lack of budget, there
will also be the possibility to discuss that together with the board and
seek solutions," he added.
"I hope to have a meeting soon with the board...(and) I am quite sure
they will be well disposed to do so and we will come to a good
agreement."
Bin Dokhan said four or five names were on the table to replace Maradona and an announcement was likely within a week.
One of them was Bruno Metsu, who coached the UAE to victory in the 2007
Gulf Cup and won the AFC Champions League with Al Ain in 2003. Metsu
also coached Senegal to a notable win over France in the opening match
of the 2002 World Cup.
'RIGHT TIME'
Defending the decision to terminate Maradona's contract, bin Dokhan said the time had been right.
"We cannot deny Diego Maradona is the best technical footballer all over
the world and he is a qualified coach but we are looking for someone to
win a championship for Al Wasl in the next stage," he added.
"We are not happy to terminate the contract but we should always keep
away emotion and work for the sake of Al Wasl. The Board acts for the
sake of Al Wasl and in the interests of Al Wasl to put Al Wasl back on
the right track."
The closest Al Wasl, which last won the domestic league title in 2007,
came to success last season was in reaching the final of the Gulf
Champions League.
However, having won the first match against Bahrain side Al Muharraq
3-1, Maradona's side capitulated in the second leg in Dubai, having two
players sent off en route to a 3-1 loss before defeat on penalties.
"Maybe it was a reason to terminate, the result of that match," said bin Dokhan.
Maradona's sacking came a month after he received a vote of confidence
from the chairman of a newly constituted board, appointed after the mass
resignation of the previous one following the lack of on-field success.
Bin Dokhan denied that Tuesday's announcement was a U-turn.
Maradona's sacking continues his modest record as coach, one that is in complete contrast to his time as a player.
In addition to his World Cup-winner's medal, Maradona enjoyed league
title successes in Argentina, Italy and Spain but as a coach he has yet
to achieve any such highs.
He had brief spells with Mandiyu and Racing Club in his home country in
1994 and 1995 respectively but neither proved successful. Although he
led Argentina to the World Cup finals in 2010, his side lost 4-0 to
Germany in the quarter-finals.
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