Maradona could be next coach of UAE

ABU DHABI – Diego Maradona could return to international soccer as the Argentine is being considered for the vacant United Arab Emirates head coaching job.

The new President of the UAE Football Association, Yousuf Al Serkal, stated on Wednesday the 51-year-old was among the leading candidates for the position.

Maradona, who won the World Cup as a player in 1986 and coached his national side to the quarter-finals of the 2010 edition in South Africa, is currently working at the Al Wasl club in Dubai.

“As Maradona is within the family of UAE football, we can’t neglect or overlook such a name,” Al Serkal said.

“We will have to think about him.

“Whether we like it or not, his name will always be a great influence (but) we have a few names including Mahdi Ali, our local coach of the Olympic squad.”

The UAE has been without a head coach since Srecko Katanec was sacked last year following successive defeats in their opening 2014 World Cup qualifying matches.

Maradona is in the middle of a two-year deal with Al Wasl and while the club has failed to win any silverware since he took charge, he has led them to the Gulf region’s Champions League semi-finals.

Maradona stated last week he was “happy and proud to have been linked with the national team job.”

“Whoever will be chosen at the end of the day by the (UAE) FA will be the right choice based on their judgement,” he added.

• Gay slur punished
• Stanford's Ubogagu picked for national U20 soccer team
• CAF's marketing deal for 2014 World Cup qualifiers
• COLLEGE SOCCER: Neumann making its way through uncharted territory
• Suarez could learn of racism allegations today
• Men's college soccer: FDU falls in NEC title match; Montclair State advances
• Eagles fly over competition
• US Women's National Team Update Plus Pia Sundhage Fact File
• Lack Of Accuracy Stumps No. 4 Carolina Women's Soccer In Season Opener
• Women's Soccer to Close Out 2012 Regular Season at Stony Brook Sunday at 2 ...

Submited by Alina - Comment RSS 2.0 - leave a comment - trackback