Argentina legend Diego Maradona enquired about the possibility of managing Nottingham Forest in 2012, according to BBC Radio Nottingham.
Maradona ‘Enquired’ About Becoming Championship Side’s Boss
Argentine Legend Contacted Club to Express Interest in Manager’s Role
A staggering claim about Maradona once being interested in taking the lead at Forest has come to light following the Argentinian’s death last week.
The 60-year-old, who played against Forest in a friendly match for Barcelona when 22-years-old at the Nou Camp, inquired about the chances of taking over the Reds eight years ago.
Speaking on BBC Radio Nottingham’s Matchday show, respected journalist Colin Fray revealed the astonishing claim about Maradona.
He said: “I have it on very good authority that, shortly after Fawaz Al Hasawi had taken over the club, Diego Maradona, through his agent, had asked whether he could come and be the manager.
“At the time, Al Hasawi had taken one day to get rid of the services of Steve Cotterill, and was then looking for a new manager – it then ended up being someone not quite of the worldwide renown, in no disrespect to Sean O’Driscoll.”
He added: “He didn’t get an interview and get turned down, it didn’t get anywhere near to happening. But there was definitely interest, preliminary interest about him becoming manager here.”
What Could Have Been For Nottingham Forest
It would have certainly been an incredible appointment for the Reds had talks between the club and Maradona progressed.
Maradona entered management after having scored 259 goals in almost 500 appearances.
His first jobs, with Deportivo Mandiyu and Racing Club, ended with little success. In May 2011, he became manager of Dubai club Al Wasl in the UAE; this lasted only until July 2012, when he was sacked.
Unfortunately for Forest, Maradona’s interest never turned into anything substantial and, eventually, Sean O’Driscoll was appointed manager.
It does, however, leave you to wonder how different life at Nottingham Forest could have been under Maradona.
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