Al Wasl says Maradona was sacked due to results as club strives to 'go to the next level'

Jul 12, 2012 4:51:00 AM

The Dubai club's vice-chairman explained the decision to dismiss the Argentine legend, while also refuting the coach's claims he is yet to be officially informed of the sacking

Al Wasl vice-chairman Mohammed Bin Dukhan says the decision to sack Diego Maradona as coach was based on results and the technical failures of the team.

The Argentine legend was dismissed from his post on Tuesday, only one season into his two-year contract with the Dubai club. Maradona had failed to guide Al Wasl to any silverware in the 2011-12 season, including a disappointing eighth place Pro-League finish out of 12 clubs.

Bin Dukhan, who was appointed to the Al Wasl board three weeks ago, admitted the final decision to axe Maradona was a difficult one, but necessary following an underwhelming season results-wise.

“On a personal basis we were not happy to terminate his contract, but we thought we should keep the emotional feelings towards the decision out of it,” Bin Dukhan said according to Sport360.

He continued: “We are working for the sake of Wasl and we will appoint the next coach to take the club to a better level.

"The decision to discontinue the service of the technical crew headed by the Argentinean football legend Mr Diego Armando Maradona came after a comprehensive study of all technical aspects of last season."

“He is the best footballer in the world and we cannot deny that or the fact he is a qualified coach, but we are looking forward to getting rewards and to take Wasl to the next level.”

Bin Dukhan also moved to clear up claims from Maradona, who is currently in his homeland, that he is yet to be officially informed of the decision, stating he had been contacted via the Argentine embassy prior to making the news public.

“We used the right channels to call his legal representative and inform him of the decision, but if there was a delay it was because it took us time to evaluate the whole situation and then decide,” Bin Dukhan said.

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