Interview: Sergio Farias - Maradona's Predecessor at Al Wasl

Sergio Farias

Sergio Farias is better known in the limelight for being the man who will be replaced by Diego Maradona at the UAE club Al Wasl rather than his coaching achievements. The Brazilian coach, an Asian Champion with Pohang Steelers from South Korea, was sacked last month from the helm of Al Wasl and will see his seat filled by the football legend and Argentina’s most favourite son, Maradona. In this interview, Sportskeeda’s Renato sat down with the coach who spoke about his experience in the Middle East this season and talked about the difficulties that he faced while working in the region, something Maradona, a demi-god figure in the world of football, will have to live with.

Renato: What is your assessment of the 2010/11 season for Al-Wasl?

Farias: I left the Al-Wasl because of internal differences with the club directors. I worked this season with lack of investment and support structure. Also, I didn’t have control of the players who work outside the club (The UAE League is still semi-profesional). Despite these problems, we put the team in two semi-finals and left the club in 4th position on UAE League table, with real chances to qualify for the Asian Champions League next year. We didn’t get the title, but I understand the handicaps and restrictions of the club to achieve it.

Renato: The Brazilian coach Ze Mario said that foreigners players provide the difference in the UAE League matches. So, do you believe that Al-Jazeera and Bani Yas teams had more foreign players with quality and this was their advantage?

Farias: I am not in full agreement with you. These teams have more local players with better fitness conditions and quality than rest of the clubs. Of course, they also have the best foreign players, then logically have much more regularity in a long championship like this (UAE League). They have also a big squad with many players and options. We (Al Wasl) had a small and very limited squad with less players than others clubs.

Maradona will be the Al Wasl coach on the next season

Renato: Everybody knows that in Asia Arab players do not have the same degree of professionalism that Japanese and Korean players do. Is it really very hard to instill this mentality of more professional in Arabic footballers? Farias: No, it is not difficult. When you have completethe confidence from club directors and the help of your own staff to plan the season and manage the squad during the different obstacles of the season, it’s not difficult at all.

Renato: Footballing icon Diego Maradona is in Dubai to replace you. What would you advise him about adaptation to the Arab football culture?

Farias: I have not met Maradona here, but I know that Al Wasl have signed him. I would advise him to take with him his own staff and find a very good interpretor to help him. These were the mistakes I committed when I arrived here.

We, at Sportskeeda, sincerely thank Mr. Farias for his time and thoughts and wish him the very best of luck for his future endeavours.