![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/MH5M7QU2DZMMJ3Z7NKGCBFJLBQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=de76a20a0b8b232cb641cff7aadec377ec2f6081568ee600d1baba63dd5b3836&width=400&height=225)
Diego Maradona during his spell at Al Wasl. Ravindranath K / The National
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Diego Maradona, left, with chairman Marwan bin Bayat, after agreeing to become manager of UAE Pro League club Al Wasl Football club in May 2011. AP
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Diego Maradona visits Al Wasl football club in May 2011. AFP
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Diego Maradona during the press conference where he was introduced as the new manager of Al Wasl in Dubai. Jeff Topping/The National
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Diego Maradona at his Al Wasl unveiling. AFP
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Diego Maradona after Al Wasl lost a GCC Clubs Championship final penalty shoot-out to Al Muharraq in June 2012. Mike Young / The National
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Diego Maradona, the Al Wasl manager.
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Quique Sanches Flores, and Diego Maradona argue following the Etisalat Cup semi-final in March 2013. Courtesy of Al Ittihad
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Diego Maradona faces the media while manager of Al Wasl.
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Diego Maradona's Al Wasl face Al Ain.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/ZBUA7E7TIKUUQMGDSWWYQQ26MI.jpg?smart=true&auth=5d94a77bea9188808ee8d7e8a40ee11b9c8f6c8b3b566a69e4a5875e016320d0&width=400&height=225)
Diego Maradona, right. Ravindranath K / The National
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Diego Maradona was sacked as Al Wasl manager in July 2012.
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Diego Maradona led the club to a disappointing eighth in the table.
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Diego Maradona during his spell at Al Wasl.
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Diego Maradona during his spell at Al Wasl. Ravindranath K / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/6R7CMPEFRNOJPDYBCY7LYNMWVE.jpg?smart=true&auth=c89ec5857699bbe0c9c90b4427f066f29d19f6a2bfd44dc288415118ce0dee8c&width=400&height=225)
Diego Maradona, left, with chairman Marwan bin Bayat, after agreeing to become manager of UAE Pro League club Al Wasl Football club in May 2011. AP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/KVNWZYNQL6QCCL65UK6SIKZDMU.jpg?smart=true&auth=97b1d2f36fbdd6ae4abe51e30a92d84bd7175882de31cd981c095b354f40c390&width=400&height=225)
Diego Maradona visits Al Wasl football club in May 2011. AFP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/MQO2X7ZLMXO4EEZT5FDCHYBUNY.jpg?smart=true&auth=3352c5c33a726aa5dead2f4ae549f8f66e7c041aabf79e79795b5c0c4e13b71b&width=400&height=225)
Diego Maradona during the press conference where he was introduced as the new manager of Al Wasl in Dubai. Jeff Topping/The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/PGXD5VDGLSH62Z4IZ5NQGRKJRQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=5f7f0c12c36baf83cba97a5ee9667ba7ac83338603620037b278bce084310453&width=400&height=225)
Diego Maradona at his Al Wasl unveiling. AFP
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Diego Maradona after Al Wasl lost a GCC Clubs Championship final penalty shoot-out to Al Muharraq in June 2012. Mike Young / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/6SNHLJYY2Y6CEVD33GZSD7SN5M.jpg?smart=true&auth=81ed84e3f3c7ad3af507df0a18614c136fbfa05c78acc7214f85efbca5b1956f&width=400&height=225)
Diego Maradona, the Al Wasl manager.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/ASBQKXNJMQDYIXCAIJ2WXPNVSI.jpg?smart=true&auth=c1f7d1db8e44af1c88536bd29de34fa0cfc8eea57183b4d033a4a92e90e98fc3&width=400&height=225)
Quique Sanches Flores, and Diego Maradona argue following the Etisalat Cup semi-final in March 2013. Courtesy of Al Ittihad
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/GF23K5AATUBZHWZ57OTTOUGQAA.jpg?smart=true&auth=d129079c6e6495368b1eb2fb583a503c5989a1b81dba7b57980fae963938b324&width=400&height=225)
Diego Maradona faces the media while manager of Al Wasl.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/52NVC32HHAZKCQSIXS4FFMN4CM.jpg?smart=true&auth=b41ee89fe4b05c093bc3f3f914435bd81014a56986dc25fc5524f10f3b7c280c&width=400&height=225)
Diego Maradona's Al Wasl face Al Ain.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/ZBUA7E7TIKUUQMGDSWWYQQ26MI.jpg?smart=true&auth=5d94a77bea9188808ee8d7e8a40ee11b9c8f6c8b3b566a69e4a5875e016320d0&width=400&height=225)
Diego Maradona, right. Ravindranath K / The National
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Diego Maradona was sacked as Al Wasl manager in July 2012.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/SZPKZ4Z5YEU7H6SYA5KVPARB3M.jpg?smart=true&auth=b973634e45c84ac4f99d6873dcb0fba4ccf0eadfaa9b546c461d08d9dc1b10c1&width=400&height=225)
Diego Maradona led the club to a disappointing eighth in the table.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/RAAFGXX7SGU4FS2SNPSFYQ6RD4.jpg?smart=true&auth=e09ac86d70f3d5988862f0a5984664ead1a37b0323c4fcded85d73d05b8e676f&width=400&height=225)
Diego Maradona during his spell at Al Wasl.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/MH5M7QU2DZMMJ3Z7NKGCBFJLBQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=de76a20a0b8b232cb641cff7aadec377ec2f6081568ee600d1baba63dd5b3836&width=400&height=225)
Diego Maradona during his spell at Al Wasl. Ravindranath K / The National
On this day, May 15, 2011: Diego Maradona named manager of Dubai side Al Wasl
Argentinian World Cup winner stuns football world by agreeing to take charge of UAE Pro League club
![John McAuley](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/https%3A%2F%2Fs3.amazonaws.com%2Farc-authors%2Fthenational%2F42fdb821-a1ba-456f-980a-444e78c14d20.png?smart=true&auth=e06a33d0c3a9b91f69d2f6f0423c3e38ec6692b751de87539e969acaa5c3893f&width=70&height=70)
John McAuley
15 May, 2020
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