The legend arrives

Diego Maradona has arrived in Dubai to begin his stint as coach of Al Wasl in the UAE league.

The 50-year-old Argentina great touched down late Wednesday, shortly before midnight, and was whisked through a VIP terminal at Dubai’s main airport.

Photos released by the club show Maradona meeting local officials and clutching flowers while wearing a black warm-up suit. The club is hoping Maradona’s star power will increase its standing while drawing more fans and sponsors to the domestic league. Al Wasl finished sixth in the first-division UAE Pro League last season.

“I am more than excited to be back and I am anxious to start working with the team,” the former World Cup winner said in a statement. “I have been constantly thinking of different training methods and new strategies ... and I can’t wait to start implementing them on the ground.”

Al Wasl said Maradona expects to meet soon with coaching staff and will try to sign another foreign player.

The club earlier this week signed Uruguay’s Juan Manuel Olivera, who joins Chile’s Edson Puch and Omani defender Mohammed Al Shaibae on the mostly Emirati squad. Al Wasl’s earlier effort to sign Uruguay striker Diego Forlan from Atletico Madrid fell through in May.

Maradona, who has not coached since leading Argentina to the World Cup quarterfinals last year, has a two-year contract with Al Wasl.

The new Pro League season starts next month.

• Football