DUBAI // A productive 24-hour period at Zabeel Stadium that saw Al Wasl announce two sponsorship deals and a potential kit-manufacturer agreement yesterday climaxed with Diego Maradona, the club's Argentine coach, saying he will not be content until he is provided the privilege of spending the club's bolstered budget on players that will allow him to fight for the title.
The 51 year old, who joined Wasl last summer, has appeared at times in recent weeks at loggerheads with his club chairman Marwan bin Beyat over the amount of money he has at his disposal to improve his squad.
The club announced yesterday afternoon that Maradona had met with bin Beyat to discuss the current situation of the team as well as planning the club's future and both men appeared at the coach's weekly press briefing last night.
Bin Beyat announced the Saif Belhasa Group of Companies has extended its sponsorship portfolio at Wasl to include the direct sponsorship of the club's technical staff, including Maradona. Wasl had also earlier in the day revealed they will this week sign a deal with Hublot, the Swiss watchmaker, and said they are considering an offer from adidas to manufacture the club's shirts from next season.
Maradona, having last week threatened to resign over budget constraints, said last night he was thankful to "anybody who is willing to help Al Wasl", adding the Belhasa deal is "definitely a positive that will help us improve as a team". However, he also reiterated that the inflated income of the club must find its way into the transfer budget.
"Yes, this is still my objective," he said when asked if seeking increased resources was still his main priority.
"I have made my opinion clear in the past and it has not changed. I have always wanted to be able to compete and fight for the title. This is my right."
Wasl face Ajman tomorrow looking to continue a three-game winning streak.
The last time the two sides met, the tie finished all square and Maradona has done his homework this time around, taking in his opponents' most recent game against Al Nasr, a 2-1 defeat.
"Ajman is a good team," he said. "They have an exceptional defence and good midfield, so it will be tough. We have studied them thoroughly and watched their game last week - they did not deserve to lose, but that is football.
"Even when you have possession, if you don't score you face the possibility of losing.
"We are enjoying a good run of results and hope this will continue and we can finish in the strongest possible league position."
Wasl currently fifth in the Pro League, three points behind fourth-placed Al Shabab and five behind Al Jazira, who they face on the last day of the season. The top three teams qualify for next year's AFC Champions League.