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I will respect contract: Diego
Al Wasl coach Diego Maradona insists he’ll work with whatever hand he is given next term after being informed this season’s transfer budget has long since been spent.
The Argentinian great, 51, has made two ultimatums in the past four months alone to the Zabeel Stadium club’s board regarding squad reinforcements, with the inherent threat he’d quit unless supposed unkept promises came to fruition.
However, the former Napoli midfielder has since backed down from that hardline stance, implying he’s prepared to abide by the board’s wishes in terms of expenditure and playing personnel for the remainder of his two-year contract.
“If I have said anything about anyone from the board in the past, then that was only just from frustration,” a downbeat Maradona said apologetically after his Cheetahs side lost 2-0 ‘at home’ to Al Wahda at Nasr’s Al Maktoum Stadium on Sunday evening.
“I will respect my contract and fight next season with what I have as far as players are concerned to be able to improve, even if Al Wasl don’t reinforce and bring any new signings in.
“In my meeting with the board last Wednesday night, I was told that what is required for the team had already been made available.
“When I spoke to (club chairman) Marwan (bin Bayat), he made it clear that the reinforcements to the team were made before I’d joined.
“This was maybe not made clear to me over the last seven months. That’s why I don’t want to talk about this topic anymore.
“In my next meeting with the board, we’ll discuss some changes in terms of the players that available.
“But, at the end of the day, I’ll remain in my job at Al Wasl, coach the players that Al Wasl sign and respect my contract and their decisions when it comes to the players and the formation.”
Maradona then has seemingly discovered some limitations to his managerial remit, yet he apparently doesn’t feel under any additional scrutiny with their lowly position (eighth) and poor form in the Etisalat Pro-League.
“There’s no pressure whatsoever,” he added. “When the same players are playing game in, game out for long periods of time, then their fitness will drop. That’s logical.
“This is something that doesn’t really worry me. I’ve got 30 years of experience and know what the reasons behind the lack of performance are.
“It’s mainly the lack of fitness because of the matches we play, but some people have different views when it comes to these things.
“I will do my best to work under these circumstances and according to those views. The lack of fitness is not something that will stop me or give me any kind of pressure.
“I will continue to work and, even if we cannot achieve success this season, we’ll work harder to try to achieve better results next season.
“I respect the club’s decision and I thank them for giving me a chance to continue as the head coach of Al Wasl.”
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