Diego Maradona made a long-awaited return to coaching this week, yet his destination was a huge surprise to many in the world of football. The Argentina icon, who was sacked by the South American titans after the 2010 World Cup, will now be in charge of the ‘Club of the Century' in the UAE; seven-time league champions Al-Wasl. He accepted the offer following in the footsteps of some of the high-profile names in the business, most notably Liberian legend George Weah, formerly with Al-Jazeera, and current Ahli Dubai captain Fabio Cannavaro. However, the likes of Weah and Cannavaro decided to set the seal on their glittering playing careers in the Gulf, while El Diego is about to sit on the bench of a football club for the first time. “It's a marvelous experience that I went looking for. I didn't need any recommendation,” said the 50-year-old. “I'm happy because I saw the opportunity to be able to coach in a country which maybe doesn't have all the stars but a team to lead, good money, (a club) who give you the players you ask for.” While the club decided to remain coy over Maradona's contract, reports suggest that the 1986 World Cup star will be earning over €3million a year. “The value of the contract is worthy of the stature and reputation of the great legend,” said Al-Wasl chairman Marwan Bin Bayat. Reaction from the UAE Maradona's appointment triggered mixed reactions from various parties related to Emirate football, with some believing that the marketing aspect plays a big role in the transaction. “100 per cent Maradona will help with the marketing of the club and the league. As per whether it is good for the football we will wait and see,” said UAE national team coach Srecko Katanec, a former Yugoslavia midfielder who played against Maradona in the 1990 World Cup. UAE international and Wehda keeper Mutaz Abdullah was even more skeptic than Katanec about Maradona's arrival.
Maradona's stature as a great players is vital "This is a publicity thing. It's nothing special for Al Wasl other than marketing. Al Ahli signed Cannavaro and got nothing from it. His coaching at the World Cup with Argentina was nothing special,” he said. Another Emirate who expects Maradona to struggle in the UAE First League is Khalid Ismail, the man who scored his nation's first-ever World Cup goal 21 years ago. “No one can question Maradona's ability as a player, he was a star, that is beyond doubt. But as a coach he is inexperienced,” he said. “This is a difficult league to succeed in. The mentality is unprofessional. He needs a very good assistant. For that reason, I'm not expecting too much.” Paramount Despite the skeptics, Al-Wasl remained confident that they've made the right choice bringing the legendary number 10 to the club's bench. “We are proud to be joining the ranks of international football with our latest endorsement of one of the greatest sports figures of all time,” said chairman Bin Bayat. “Maradona has led his teams to victory, and his enormous contributions to our players will be influential in inspiring football legends among our own. “We dedicate this paramount turn of events to our loyal fans and thank the inspiring leaders of Al-Wasl who have been a beacon for what we can achieve and a catalyst for more success in the future.” Club CEO Ashraf Ahmad Mohammad also seemed unconcerned about Maradona's doubted record as a coach, implying that his stature as a football great is enough for the meantime. “Maradona agreeing to sign a contract with us is good news for Wasl and UAE football on the whole because the world's eyes are on us,” he said. “Maradona is the greatest player of all time and some people have been saying that he doesn't have a good coaching record, but we are a club that is growing and we need someone like him to lead us forward. “Who can say if he'll be successful we don't know, but simply having someone like him at the club is inspirational for everybody.”
