Defending Asian soccer champions Al-Ain have appointed former AS Monaco manager Leonardo Jardim to replace Argentine coach Hernan Crespo, the UAE Pro League side said on Friday.
Jardim, who has signed a contract until the end of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup in July next year, led Monaco to the Ligue 1 title and a remarkable run to the Champions League semi-finals in 2017 but was relieved of his duties in 2018.
The Portuguese coach was appointed manager of Shabab Al-Ahli in 2022, helping them win their eighth UAE Pro League title last year, then managed Al-Rayyan in Qatar for a season.
The decision to lay off Crespo came on Wednesday, a day after the team's 5-1 defeat to Saudi Pro League club Al-Nassr in the Asian Champions League Elite and a 3-0 defeat to Al-Ahly of Egypt in the FIFA Intercontinental Cup at the end of last month.
Al-Ain has one point from four games in the Asian Champions League Elite and are eighth in the UAE Pro League standings.
Popular
Spotlight
More from Sports
Pakistan Padel Tour's Sindh edition concludes with thrilling finale
The Sindh edition of the event took place at SMASH X, Karachi.
More from World
France's Macron announces fourth government of the year
Macron's pick of ex-PMs signals a push for stability as PM Francois Bayrou focuses on surviving no-confidence votes and budget approval
Comments
See what people are discussing