UAE's Al Wasl fire coach Diego Maradona

Ambitious Dubai-based Al Wasl FC, who play in the United Arab Emirates Football League, have fired their coach Argentinian Diego Armando Maradona after only a year in charge at the club. In May 2011 Maradona had signed a two year contract with the aim of winning trophies and titles, but it didn't work out.

"Following a meeting held today to evaluate the technical staff of Al Wasl football team under the leadership of coach Diego Maradona, it was decided to terminate his services and his technical staff," the board said in its official statement.

Al Wasl had finished a disappointing eighth in the 12 team UAE Pro League in the 2011/12 season, down two places from sixth a season earlier; but under Maradona the club didn't progress though getting more coverage due to their high profile coach.

The club management had resigned earlier to the failure and now the new management has fired former World Cup winner as a player Maradona along with his coaching staff to look for a restart under a new coach.

The failure at Al Wasl is another chapter in the coaching career of Maradona. It started at Mandiyu and Racing Club in his home country in 1994 and 1995 before taking over as Argentina coach in 2008 for a couple of years.

Maradona to coach Dubai's Al Wasl

Dubai based Al Wasl FC, who play in the United Arab Emirates Football League, confirmed yesterday afternoon in an official statement that Maradona would be their new coach.

The club statement said, "Al Wasl Sports Club is proud to announce the appointment of Diego Armando Maradona as head coach of Al Wasl Football Club, in a momentous development that will see the football legend lead the team for the next two seasons."

Maradona was in Dubai over the weekend to work out contract details, see the club and their facilities before agreeing to sign a contract. He would be unveiled at a press conference early next month and has signed a two year contract which starts next season. Currently the club is fourth in the UAE league.

"The value of the contract is worthy of the stature and reputation of the great legend," said Marwan Bin Bayat, chairman of Al Wasl FC.

For the 50 year old Argentinian this is the first assignment after his unceremonious exit as Argentina coach following the 4-0 trashing at the hands of Germany at the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa. And though Maradona has been linked with a number of coaching jobs over the last 10 months, he now takes on a new task in a difficult surroundings.

The owners in the UAE with all their wealth do not give time to big names to deliver as they want instant results. For Maradona it won't be an easy task as also there will be a lot of critical eyes watching him.