Al Wahda coach laments tough year

Abu Dhabi: Outgoing Al Wahda coach Josef Hickersberger has dubbed this season the "toughest year" in his career in football management, according to a recent interview given to Vienna-based daily Kurier.

With former Iran coach Branko Ivankovic among those lined up to replace the 64-year-old Austrian at the Al Nahyan Stadium in Abu Dhabi, Hickersberger has kept no secrets about his future plans in recent weeks.

Sixth in the league with six wins, nine draws and four losses from 19 games this season, with group phase elimination in the Etisalat Cup and President's Cup semi-final defeat to Bani Yas, Hickersberger, will leave this summer after a five-year association with the club split in two spells.

With Al Wahda, the former Bahrain and Austria coach won the league in 2010 and super cup in 2011. But in 2012 he has won just three games.

Financially good

Hickersberger told Kurier: "After three and-a-half years it is time to seek a new coaching position. From pride alone [of lasting this long] I cannot live. Financially it was certainly a good time. But nevertheless, I'm glad I survived this season, it was the hardest year in my life as coach.

"It's been a challenge since pre-season. When I asked for more funds the board was not interested, even if we finished fourth or seventh, they were happy so long as we had fought hard.

Hickersberger had told local press: "I don't think they want me to continue for another season because this season has not been a good one and the coach is the one to be blamed for poor results.