NEUCHATEL, Switzerland, May 12 (Reuters) - Modest Swiss club Neuchatel Xamax was sold to Chechen businessman Bulat Chagaev on Thursday while coach Didier Olle-Nicole was fired after the previous day's 4-1 home defeat by FC Thun.
Chagaev was not present at Thursday's shareholders meeting which approved the sale, nor was Diego Maradona despite speculation in the Swiss media that the Argentine could have a future role in the club.
The new administration was forced to tone down its previously brash predictions after Wednesday's reverse left the team in serious danger of relegation from the Super League, the top flight of Swiss football.
Chagaev, who bought previous owner Sylvio Bernasconi's majority stake in the club, said last week that he wanted to win the Swiss championship next season and take part in the Champions League.
But his president Andrei Rudakov quickly lowered expectations.
"The first thing is that we have to stay in the Super League," Rudakov told reporters after the sale was completed.
"Today, it's about staying in the Super League and winning the Swiss Cup.
"Nothing is going to change, we are going to work with the same team, we have confidence in everyone," said Rudakov.
"We will look to rebuild the team with young players from the canton."
Swiss media and Neuchatel fans have questioned the deal, saying not enough is known about the origins of Chagaev's fortune.
Olle-Nicole, fired hours before the meeting, was the second coaching victim of the season at the club, having taken over in September.
Wednesday's defeat left Neuchatel eighth in the 10-team league with only goal difference separating them from St Gallen who are in the relegation playoff spot.
Neuchatel have also reached the Swiss Cup final where they face Sion at the end of the month.
Neuchatel, which at present has a budget annual budget of around 12 million Swiss francs ($13.56 million), was formed in 1970 by the merger of two clubs and the team have won the Swiss league twice, in 1987 and 1988.
Chagaev was not present at Thursday's shareholders meeting which approved the sale, nor was Diego Maradona despite speculation in the Swiss media that the Argentine could have a future role in the club.
The new administration was forced to tone down its previously brash predictions after Wednesday's reverse left the team in serious danger of relegation from the Super League, the top flight of Swiss football.
Chagaev, who bought previous owner Sylvio Bernasconi's majority stake in the club, said last week that he wanted to win the Swiss championship next season and take part in the Champions League.
But his president Andrei Rudakov quickly lowered expectations.
"The first thing is that we have to stay in the Super League," Rudakov told reporters after the sale was completed.
"Today, it's about staying in the Super League and winning the Swiss Cup.
"Nothing is going to change, we are going to work with the same team, we have confidence in everyone," said Rudakov.
"We will look to rebuild the team with young players from the canton."
Swiss media and Neuchatel fans have questioned the deal, saying not enough is known about the origins of Chagaev's fortune.
Olle-Nicole, fired hours before the meeting, was the second coaching victim of the season at the club, having taken over in September.
Wednesday's defeat left Neuchatel eighth in the 10-team league with only goal difference separating them from St Gallen who are in the relegation playoff spot.
Neuchatel have also reached the Swiss Cup final where they face Sion at the end of the month.
Neuchatel, which at present has a budget annual budget of around 12 million Swiss francs ($13.56 million), was formed in 1970 by the merger of two clubs and the team have won the Swiss league twice, in 1987 and 1988.
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