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Maradona promises Al Wasl fans they will compete for the League title next season

 

UFL Club, Al Wasl held a press conference yesterday June 5 at Jumeirah Zabeel Saray Hotel, The Palm Jumeirah, to officially introduce their new Argentinean coach Diego Armando Maradona as the successor to Sergio Farias.

The press conference has been attended by Marwan Bin Bayat, Al Wasl Chairman, along with more than 100 local and foreign media representatives. Maradona did not disclose the financial details of his deal with Al Wasl, however he did confirm that all the figures that had been mentioned perviously were far from the reality. Commenting on the contract, Maradona said, "I am not a player now, I am a coach. It is the players who make all the money now. The coaches don't."

Maradona promised Al Wasl's officials and fans that his team will be a strong contender for the League title next season. Commenting on the technical standard of football in the UAE, Maradona said "I know many South American players who play in the UAE and in the GCC region and I have spoken to many of them about this issue. I also have some friends who are working here and they have provided me with the relevant information. I have come here to work, to get familiar with my new team Al Wasl and at the same time get more experience," he added. "Al Wasl are my team now. I will put the same passion and desire into them that I did before with Argentina.".

I have the qualifications to work with my new team and I have come here to lead the team to victories and to win trophies. I will take the team to the top standards. Football is a nice game but I do not believe in luck. I will work hard to achieve the titles. We will play with seriousness and dedication to win all the games, although the task won't be easy. Al Wasl have become my priority and I want them to be the champions."

Marwan Bin Bayat, Al Wasl's Chairman, addressed the news conference saying, "It gives me great honor to unveil Al Wasl FC's head coach Diego Armando Maradana. We are really making history after reaching an agreement with the Argentinean legend and signing a two-year contract. I would like to take this opportunity to extend our deep gratitude to everyone who worked day and night in the previous months to make this happen," he said.

Maradona also added, "I would like to thank the president of Al Wasl Club and all the people who made this deal possible for me to come here. Now I am facing a big challenge, the same which I faced before when I was  coach for the Argentina National Football Team." He added, "I have seen a number of Al Wasl's previous matches on tape and I have formed a good idea about the technical standard of the players but still I will review more video records to collect more information and to know more about the abilities and performance of the players so as to make them capable to compete for the Etisalat Pro-League Title. I will try to do my best to make those who signed my contract feel happy."

Regarding the players who would sign with Al Wasl for the new season, Maradona said "There are a lot of criteria that should be met before signing with any player,the player must be committed to the team and not think about money., The player should play strongly and implement what I say and contribute to the team with his experience and energy. I do not want old players who are at the stage of retirement, but those who are still enjoy playing and are in good condition. In this regard, I respect the Chilean player (Addison Bush Universidad player) contracted by Al Wasl, I did not interfere in the decision but he is a good player. I have the opportunity to sign other players, I do not want famous names, but those who can serve the team."

Asked about what encouraged him to move to Dubai, Maradona said: "In fact, I was invited to Dubai several times and I came here to talk with those concerned about football and I received an offer from Al Wasl and agreed to make the move because the Club has a project which I am part of it now. I love this city."