Maradona, Fujairah part ways by mutual consent
dubai — Argentine legend Diego Maradona and Fujairah have parted ways by mutual consent after he failed to guide the First Division team to automatic qualification to the UAE top flight.
Hours after The Wolves were held to a 1-1 stalemate by Khor Fakkan, his lawyer Matias Morla said that the World Cup winner had left the club in good terms.
“After today’s draw and not having achieved the goal of helping Fujairah earn automatic promotion to the Arabian Gulf League, Diego Maradona will no longer be the coach of the team,” Morla tweeted.
“The decision was taken by mutual agreement and Diego leaves the team in a situation where they still have a chance in the playoff. He wishes all the best to the club that opened its doors,” he added.
Maradona was appointed in May last year with the remit to plot Fujairah’s return to the Arabian Gulf League this season. There was the option of an extension depending on how things panned out.
And the 57-year-old had done exceedingly well with not a single defeat during the entire campaign. Fujairah had won 11 and drew 11 of the 22 fixtures but it was the last draw which proved to be costly for The Wolves.
The draw meant Ittihad Kalba joined Bani Yas in the Arabian Gulf League. But all is not lost for Fujairah and they can still make it to the UAE top flight.
The Wolves will go into a fourteam play-off tournament from May 9 to 13 from which two teams can still make the cut.
Fujairah, who finished third, will be joined by fourth-placed Al Hamriyah, as well the bottom two teams from this season’s Arabian Gulf League, in the tournament.
Heading into the final round, Fujairah were battling for the second spot with Ittihad Kalba, with both level on 43 points. And even though Ittihad Kalba went on to defeat Al Oruba 2-0, a victory would have sent Fujairah through on account of a better head-to-head record despite their inferior goal difference.
Fujairah had won 1-0 at home in December last year and 2-1 away this March.
Maradona was seen consoling few of the players after the game against Khor Fakkan.
Last year, during his unveiling, Maradona had said that he was indebted to the UAE when he was going through troubled times and added that he will forever remain a servant of the country’s football. The Fujairah assignment had marked a return to football management after a five-year absence for Maradona, who previously coached Dubai-based Al Wasl in 2011-12 and Argentina from 2008 to 2010.
“I had received many other offers but as I said, I’m the son of Dubai and the son of the UAE,” Maradona had said at the press conference.
“And I hope I can continue the same path in Fujairah, as I did in Dubai. There are other places around the world, but this place is close to my heart. I will work very strongly and make sure Fujairah become an unbeatable team. Mentally, we are very strong. This house has become my house now. “The UAE saved me and they opened doors when all the other doors were closed and they provided opportunities. For me, it is not just about money. It is about football,” he added.
The last time Fujairah were in the top flight was in the 2014-15 season but that lasted for only a year as they were relegated in the 2015-16 season.
james@khaleejtimes.com