Argentina icon Diego Maradona’s passion for coaching continues to burn bright and his priority remains finding a new UAE club for 2018/19, despite a rollercoaster recent exit from Arabian Gulf League-prospects Fujairah.
The in-demand, joint FIFA Player of the Century has fielded two offers from First Division League clubs, plus overtures from international and South American outfits, amid tumultuous negotiations with the Wolves which featured several shock U-turns prior to Thursday’s definitive end.
Maradona, 57, stunningly left his position with the undefeated Wolves within hours of a 1-1 draw against 10-man Khor Fakkan on April 27 which saw them drop out of the automatic promotion spots to the top flight.
An announcement followed from the east coast-side three days later about a shock comeback, but talk of a new one-year deal was quickly rubbished by the legendary ex-Boca Juniors, Barcelona and Napoli forward’s lawyer.
Fujairah then tweeted a message which stated requests for his “contract to be quadrupled” had caused discussions to be terminated ahead of the play-offs.
Ex-Dibba Al Fujairah, Al Dhafra and UAE Under-23 tactician Abdullah Mesfer was announced on Saturday as the man who will lead them on May 9 and 13 versus the AGL’s bottom-placed side, Hatta.
However, sources close to the legendary World Cup 1986 winner have rejected the claim. They also reiterate an ambition for a third stint in the Emirates – he was previously dismissed by Dubai’s Al Wasl midway through a two-year arrangement in July 2012.
“Maradona enjoyed his time at Fujairah,” they told Sport360. “He made a big effort, travelling nearly 400 kilometres every day.
#fujfc pic.twitter.com/21zSk8sjwD
— FUJAIRAH FC (@Fuj_FC) May 3, 2018
“He didn’t care about this distance. As soon as he walked onto the training pitch, he was happy.
“It is no surprise to say someone like Diego has received offers from all over the world. But his priority is the UAE.
“He feels comfortable there and wants to continue. We were also very surprised to hear the reasons why Fujairah said they ended talks.”
Reverberations were felt across the globe last May when Maradona agreed to end his five-year exile from the dugout and lead the ambitious Wolves for 2017/18.
But profligacy in front of goal saw a draining 11 draws registered. Their final-day stalemate caused them to be critically knocked into third place by Ittihad Kalba.
