Neuchatel Xamax fires coach, denies Maradona link

Published May. 12, 2011 1:32 p.m. ET

foxsports

Neuchatel Xamax has fired coach Didier Olle-Nicolle during a week of Swiss media speculation linking it with Diego Maradona.

Neuchatel released Olle-Nicolle after a 4-1 home defeat against Thun on Wednesday, leaving the Swiss Cup finalist two points clear of relegation with three games left.

The firing came hours before the club's new majority owner Bulat Chagaev arrived to meet fans and shareholders.

The Chechen businessman has strong connections with Chechen club Terek Grozny, which recently hired Ruud Gullit as coach.

Maradona played in a friendly on Wednesday to inaugurate Grozny's stadium then traveled to Geneva.

However, Neuchatel officials dismissed reports saying the Argentina great would be hired.