Diego Maradona’s contracts with other international brands limited him from achieving the goals set for him by Al Wasl, Vice Chairman Mohammed Bin Dukhan said in a press conference late Wednesday.
The conference came one day after the news of the legend’s dismissal was announced in Dubai. The news was delivered to Maradona, who is on holiday, and his legal team before it was made public, said Bin Dukhan.
The decision, which had been delayed due to the appointment of the club’s new management, could not wait for Maradona return from his holiday before making the announcement.
“Maradona did not deliver on our expectations but we do appreciate his efforts and we acknowledge that he left a mark on the team,” Bin Dukhan said at the conference.
Bin Dukhan added that the decision to terminate Maradona’s contract was based on technical reasons, not financial.
“There is no truth to previous rumors that we forced Maradona to resign,” he said.
There will be a penalty for breaching the contract, the details of which the management did not disclose at the conference.
Bin Dukhan denied rumors that the club was in negotiations with Coach Harry Redknapp to replace Maradona, confirming that the management is looking for the best interest of the team rather than having an international coach.
However, he did say that the club’s management team was in negotiations with a number of candidates, one of whom was reportedly Bruno Mitsu, previous manager of Qatari National Team. Once chosen, the new coach will then select the new team players.
Maradona had been sent an invitation to attend a party in his honor by Al Wasl’s management. “We plan to celebrate the legendary figure in a manner that befits his legendary status and we will always have good relations with him,” said Bin Dukhan.
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