Former Borussia Dortmund, Netherlands and Saudi Arabia coach Bert van Marwijk would be interested in taking over the UAE.
The Whites are on the lookout for a new boss after Alberto Zaccheroni’s contract expired in the wake of last month’s painful semi-final exit, on home soil, at Asian Cup 2019. Much conjecture surrounds the current status of this search, with calls to change leadership at the UAE Football Association still resonating in Arabic media.
Once this pandemonium halts, the experienced Van Marwijk could be interested in opening talks about potentially taking the post. The 66-year-old gained widespread renown when he led his native Netherlands to defeat at World Cup 2010, before earning a sterling – if not spiky – reputation in the Middle East when departing the Green Falcons within days of ending their 12-year absence by making 2018’s edition.
Van Marwijk then underwhelmed with a group-stage exit with Australia, but is not short of other options. Widespread reports in the Middle East have placed him as a leading contender to succeed Carlos Queiroz at Iran.
The UAE are in no rush to make a permanent appointment. FIFA’s next international window opens in March, while the AFC’s second-round qualifiers for World Cup 2022 commence in September.
If the current regime, led by embattled president Marwan bin Ghalita, survives until then, they must get the next appointment right.
Argentina’s Edgardo Bauza failed to make World Cup 2018, while negative football stained a reign of Zaccheroni that does gain some credit because of progression to last year’s Gulf Cup showpiece and a last-four spot in the continental event.
The Whites find themselves in a lull, at present. Their ‘Golden Generation’ has lost some of its sheen because of recent failures, plus serious injuries to 2015 AFC Player of the Year Ahmed Khalil – restricted to a ‘super-sub’ role last month – and 2016 AFC Player of the Year Omar Abdulrahman.
The next man must return these talents to their best, plus bring through hot prospects such as Al Jazira defenders Khalifa Al Hammadi and Mohammed Al Attas.
This is where Van Marwijk’s sterling work with the Saudis resonates.
جماهير الأبيض في الموعد كالعادة 🇦🇪💪#منصور_يالأبيض #كأس_آسيا2019 pic.twitter.com/mxnpVohd3T
— UAE NT (@uaent2019) January 29, 2019
He took over an underperforming rabble in August 2015, transforming them back into one of Asia’s strongest sides.
The ex-Feyenoord tactician was hailed a hero in the wake of September 2017’s decisive qualifying triumph against Japan, only for residual tensions with the Saudi Arabian Football Federation about a reluctance to spend time in the Kingdom to blow up.
Van Marwijk was then appointed as head coach of the Socceroos in January 2018. His new nation, however, would finish bottom of Group C with only one point from three matches.
Criticism about a failure to cure Australia’s problem up top followed.
Other possible contenders for the UAE position include Morocco’s Herve Renard. The stylish Frenchman was, sporadically, present at the Asian Cup as an observer, though is likely to take serious convincing to abandon the Atlas Lions during an Africa Cup of Nations year.
Ex-Al Ain boss Zlatko Dalic was, optimistically, linked with succeeding Zaccheroni mid-tournament last month. He would be a dream appointment for the UAE, but will be even more tricky to prise away from Croatia after leading his country to defeat at World Cup 2018’s decider.
