Constant change at Al Wasl not paying dividends for troubled Dubai side

Former Al Wasl player Mariano Donda gives a first-person account to John McAuley of the manager turnover at the troubled Dubai club.

Mariano Donda spent three years at Al Wasl from June 2011, often as captain. During his time at the Zabeel Stadium, the Argentine midfielder played under eight different managers, having begun his career at the club as one of Diego Maradona’s first signings. Jake Badger / The NationalShow less

Editor's Note: In this piece, former Al Wasl player Mariano Donda gives a first-person account of the manager turnover at the troubled Dubai club. Donda spent three years at Al Wasl from June 2011, often as captain. During his time at the Zabeel Stadium, the Argentine midfielder played under eight different managers, having begun his career at the club as one of Diego Maradona's first signings.

It has been difficult watching events at Al Wasl this season. I opened the newspapers on Tuesday to discover Jorginho was no longer coach, and I couldn’t believe it.

Another coach had gone, another deemed not good enough, and the club must start over again.

I cannot say for sure that it would have been better to give him more time, to have patience in the new coach after signing 14 players in the summer, because I am no longer employed there.

I did not see how Jorginho worked. But it is not good to change every time.

One person is not the problem, yet it is easier to change one person than 30 players. In my three years there, I saw eight different coaches, watched the club committee change three or four times.

It was difficult to see. The club was like my house, where I would spend six or seven hours every day, and so I felt it should be respected. The constant change affects the players, adds unnecessary stress.

Footballers need to feel trust to improve and the coach needs to investigate each different personality, to give support so they can develop. That is achieved with time, with patience, with confidence.

But if you change coach after two or three months, it is impossible. When I was at Wasl, I always gave 100 per cent to every single coach, inside and outside the pitch, but the footballer needs to be content when he goes to bed at night.

When I lost last season, I felt like I had died.

I trust in that the committee makes the decisions in the best interests of Wasl.

They want only for the club to move in the right direction, to have success, and change sometimes can be good. But you should take care of the details.

Before contracting coaches, do the research: who is this person? What objectives do they have? Look into their family life, everything.

In Gabriel Calderon, Wasl will have done the research and believe they have the right person. He has a lot of experience in this part of the world, but his first impression, that initial meeting with the players, will be so important.

I hope the players believe in his message. At the moment, Wasl need results like they need oxygen. I hope Calderon has the mentality to change the players, to reverse the results, because once you’re moving in the wrong direction, it is very difficult to turn around.

I’m worried about the last few matches I’ve seen, and I feel sorry for the team, but I am confident because they have quality players. They have talent. Believe me, the right people are already there, inside the changing room and outside it.

I used to joke that Wasl was like Disney, because they were so good to the players, giving them everything. Now the players should give everything in return.

I spoke with the management two or three weeks ago and offered to give any help I could, without taking anything, because the club gave me a lot in my three years.

It hurts to see them like this. I support the club, and I hope to see the people at Wasl smiling. They deserve to be happy.

This is my club and each person who loves this club should help in this moment.

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