Diego Maradona lined up to be Portsmouth's dealmaker in the Fratton Park revolution

22 July 2009 13:03
Diego Maradona is reportedly ready to quit his job as Argentina boss to become Portsmouth's 'global ambassador'. Arabianbusiness.com - a website seen as being close to new Fratton Park owner Sulaiman Al Fahim - claims to have seen emails discussing the move with Maradona's lawyer Angel Oscar Moyano. With Paul Hart confirmed as Pompey's manager, Maradona would take on a director of football-style role with a responsibility to bring in players, it is claimed. Diego Armando Maradona Leaving home? Argentina boss and English hate-figure Diego Maradona Moyano is quoted as saying 'Diego Armando Maradona will be ready to come to Portsmouth FC', adding: 'He's got all top players ready and even he's ready to leave Argentine national team.' The website claims four world stars were mentioned as players that Maradona would be able to take to Portsmouth. None was identified. Sulaiman Al Fahim Ambitious: Sulaiman Al Fahim Abu Dhabi-based tycoon Al Fahim is a long-standing admirer of the Argentina national and intends to open a Maradona Sports Cafe in the UAE next year. In March he spoke of Maradona as the perfect candidate to be a club chairman. 'I don’t know if Diego Maradona can be a good coach. I think he has to be the chairman of a club and have the right to choose and buy players. 'In Napoli he started from zero and built the club (as a player). He has the quality to change football teams.' Despite being installed as Argentina boss last October, the 48-year-old did not sign a contract with the national team until last month after protracted negotiations. His deal with the AFA lasts until the end of next summer's World Cup and he is paid £750,000 a year - £14,000 a week - which is about double that of his recent predecessors but low by top international standards. Maradona has faced criticism since his shock appointment after causing divisions in the Argentina ranks, as well as displaying tactical naivety, particularly in the 6-1 defeat at minnows Bolivia in April. Portsmouth, Al Fahim and the AFA have not commented on the reports.

Source: Daily_Mail