Four names shortlisted to succeed Ali as coach

The UAE Football Association (UAE FA) has shortlisted the names of four coaches from Europe and South America to succeed Mahdi Ali as coach of the UAE national football team, according to Arabic press.

The four names haven’t been disclosed but will be tabled at a board meeting this week after which negotiations will begin and a successor will be announced.

“The committee concerned with the selection of the new coach has identified four candidates,” said UAE FA media director Hassan Jasmi in a statement following the committee’s first meeting. The committee has limited the selection to European and South American options, the names will be presented to the board at its next meeting.

Not locally based

“Specifications required are World Cup experience and ambition, names will be officially announced on Saturday.”

The Arabic press have also quoted a source at the UAE FA on condition of anonymity, who says the new coach won’t be locally based, ruling out the likes of heavily favoured former Al Nasr coach Ivan Jovanovic and current Al Ahli boss Cosmin Olaroiu.

“I do not expect the new coach to be one of the current coaches at a local club,” said the source.

Mahdi Ali resigned as UAE coach after a 2-0 defeat to Australia last month, which virtually ended UAE’s hopes of qualifying for 2018 World Cup in Russia. They are now four points off a necessary third-placed finish with only three games remaining. Only the top two qualify automatically while the third-placed team goes into a cross-continental play-off.