It was frustrating to see your team play that way, says Metsu

Abu Dhabi: Bruno Metsu, who resigned on Sunday as UAE's head coach, justified his criticism of the UAE players after their poor showing in the final round of World Cup qualifiers.

"I am the only football coach in the history of the country to give Al Ain Club the Asian Champions League and UAE their first Gulf Cup title," Metsu told Gulf News yesterday, referring to the success he achieved with Al Ain in 2003 and then the Gulf Cup in early 2007.

Asked about his harsh criticism of his players following their 2-1 home defeat against Saudi Arabia on September 10, when he said the players lacked the will to win, have no fighting spirits and crack under pressure, Metsu explained: "I was criticising the players' mentality. Tell me why should the coaches shoulder the responsibility of each defeat? The players should also learn from their mistakes and the fans have a right to know why the team lost.

No will to win

"I have always defended them but I saw most of them play without a desire to win. Most of them lacked fighting spirit and only Esmail Mattar, Esmail Al Hammadi and Subait Khater fought in that match. Some defenders failed to do their job and mark their own zone. When the Saudis scored their winner, the player who should have covered that spot was walking slowly from his position.

"It was frustrating to see your team play in such a way and I have to be frank with myself, with the players and with the fans."

Regarding his policy of blooding youngsters, Metsu said: "I have always worked to achieve two goals: to win matches and at the same time build for the future. This is why I introduced many young players who proved their worth like Majid Nasir, Mohammad Al Shehhi, Ahmad Dada, Esmail Al Hammadi, Yousuf Jaber, Mohammad Othman, Abdulla Al Noobi and many others who will be the foundation for a strong team for the future. I wish them all the luck."

On UAE FA's decision to appoint his assistant Dominique Bathenay to lead the team in near future, Metsu said: "Dominique is the suitable choice. He has been with the team even before I came and had led them in the qualifiers of the Asian Cup two years ago. I believe he is capable of achieving good results with the team."

And what about his future destination, Metsu said: "I have several offers from clubs in Asia and Europe and national teams from Asia and Africa. I am studying each of them as I have the time," he concluded.