Mahdi Ali replaces Olaroiu as Shabab Al Ahli Dubai coach
dubai — In the wake of a not so impressive performance in the Arabian Gulf League, Shabab Al Ahli Dubai and their Romanian coach Cosmin Olaroiu have parted ways by mutual consent, according to an announcement made by the club on their Twitter account.
The Romanian coach had joined Dubai-based Al Ahli in 2013 and had stayed with the club even after the merger of Al Ahli, Shabab and Dubai. In December 2014, Olaroiu moved to Saudi Arabia as their national coach for the 2015 Asia Cup but returned to Al Ahli at the end of the tournament.
During his first season in charge at Al Ahli, Olaroiu won three domestic titles and was awarded as Coach of the Year by the Arabian Gulf League in 2014.
He had previously won Pro League title for Al Ain in 201112 besides winning the Super Cup for the club. He guided Al Ahli to their first AFC Champions League final in 2015, losing 1–0 on aggregate to China’s Guangzhou Evergrande.
However, in the first year as in charge of the three merged clubs, the team wasn’t doing well and had drawn six out of 10 matches so far and are currently placed fifth, seven points behind leaders Al Wasl, in the 12-team AGL.
The Club also announced that Mahdi Ali, the most successful UAE national coach, will replace Olaroiu.
Mahdi Ali won the second Gulf Cup for the UAE in 2013 and during his coaching stint, the UAE finished third place at the 2015 Asian Cup.
sports@khaleejtimes.com