Fujairah continue life without Diego Maradona as coach Ivan Hasek answers a second call

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Mail
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • WhatsApp
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn
  • Ivan Hasek when in charge of Emirates Club.

    Promoted Fujairah have installed ex-Czech Republic, Al Ahli and Emirates Club boss Ivan Hasek as the permanent replacement for Argentina icon Diego Maradona on a one-year deal.

    Hasek, 54, returns to Fujairah Stadium for a second spell in charge. He previously engineered an incredible Arabian Gulf League-escape act for the Wolves in 2014/15, but was dismissed in the following March as they slid towards eventual relegation.

    The post on the east coast had turned into a hot seat during recent weeks. Maradona was dismissed within hours of April 28’s failure to gain automatic promotion, with an aborted move to bring him back eventually leading to ex-UAE boss Dr Abdullah Mesfer guiding them to a narrow promotion play-off triumph against Hatta.

    Hasek inherits a squad that has already been bolstered by the likes of Hatta’s prolific Brazilian midfielder Fernando Gabriel, Algerian forward Mohamed Benyettou from Al Shabab Riyadh and UAE Under-23 goalkeeper Abdullah Ismail from Al Nasr.

    The 54-times-capped former midfielder lifted the top-flight crown with – the now defunct – Ahli back in 2009/10. But he’s gained a reputation as a relegation battler in recent years.

    A miracle was performed to keep Emirates up in 2016/17. Yet he was gone by last October after his side opened the next campaign with just one win from their opening six league games.

    Meanwhile, fellow new boys Bani Yas have selected ex-Croatia defensive midfielder Krunoslav Jurcic as the man to guide them back into the top flight.

    Jurcic, 48, was unveiled by the First Division League champions on Monday at Bani Yas Stadium. He fills the vacancy left by the ruthless dismissal of Goran Tufegdzic, despite the Serbian securing an instant return after 2016/17’s painful relegation.

    The ex-Torino and Sampdoria player has most recently found employment in Saudi Arabia. He led a ‘B’ team to a group-stage elimination at the winter’s Gulf Cup that featured a goalless draw with the UAE, then lasted just nine games in charge of faltering Riyadh giants Al Nassr in the Saudi Professional League.

    Recommended