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Maradona says Al Wasl offered 'good money'

(Agencies/chinadaily.com.cn)
Updated: 2011-05-19 10:53

Argentina legend Diego Maradona (R) visits the Al-Wasl football club in Dibai, the United Arab Emirates, May 14, 2011. [Photo/Agencies]

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina - Diego Maradona accepted the offer to coach United Arab Emirates club Al Wasl because it offered "good money," he said on Wednesday.

The Argentine great stunned the football world by taking the job with the little-known Dubai outfit on Monday, his first post since leaving the Argentine national side after the World Cup.

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"It's a marvelous experience," Maradona told the TyC sports channel. "It's the chance to be in a country where perhaps there aren't many stars, but there's a squad to command and good money."

Maradona said he was thrilled to resume his coaching career in the United Arab Emirates where he would have no restrictions in signing players for his new club Al Wasl.

Maradona's assistant coaches would be the same two men on his staff at the World Cup in South Africa where his Argentina team were knocked out by Germany in the quarter-finals, Hector Enrique and Alejandro Mancuso, according to the 50-year-old football legend.

Maradona signed a two-year deal and will take control of the club when the new season starts in September, but the terms of his contract have not been released. "There is a signed pre-contract which needs polishing and then we'll have to start thinking about the work," said Maradona.

Al Wasl, fourth in the domestic league, had been looking for a new coach since sacking Brazilian Sergio Farias in March.