UAE: The UAE Football Association announced on Wednesday that caretaker Saleem Abdelrahman will be at the helm later this month when the managerless Whites begin rebuilding after Asian Cup 2019 disappointment with friendlies against Saudi Arabia and Syria.
The hosts fell at the semi-finals in January, bringing a poor end to Alberto Zaccheroni’s mixed reign. Al Wasl stalwart Abdelrahman was an assistant to the ex-AC Milan coach and with no permanent successor named, is in charge on March 21 against the Saudis and March 26 versus the Syrians.
The body also stated they have “reviewed a number of curriculum vitae” for a new boss and the technical committee will “study further and propose names” to the board of directors to lead them into World Cup 2022 qualifying.
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ARABIAN GULF CUP: Coach Benat San Jose is under severe pressure to snap his sorry start at Al Nasr in Friday’s Arabian Gulf Cup semi-final against neighbours Shabab Al Ahli Dubai Club.
San Jose, 39, is winless in all six matches since he took over from Ivan Jovanovic – a dismal spell that includes early exits in the 2019 AFC Champions League play-offs and President’s Cup.
“We will fight in a spirit of defiance and desire to win,” said the ex-Al Ittihad and Universidad Catolica supremo. “Our goal is to win and achieve a title despite all the difficult conditions faced by the team.”
Rodolfo Arruabarrena’s Shabab Al Ahli are fourth in the Arabian Gulf League table, seven spots and 15 points better off than the sinking Blue Wave.
