Dubai: The decision to merge Al Shabab, Al Ahli and Dubai Club into one entity called Shabab Al Ahli Dubai Club has been met with mixed reactions by players and managers involved in the President’s Cup final.
The merger decision means the 2017/18 season campaign may now start with 12 clubs instead of 14.
Al Wahda coach Javier Aguirre said: “To be honest, it surprised me as (much as) everybody. It is a strange decision but I have no more information on that.”
But Aguirre added the main challenge will be to accommodate all the players from the three clubs.
“It is going to be tough work because now you have around 70 or 80 professional players and you have to build one team from this. It makes it very difficult for everybody. But if it is to improve the league, then I welcome it.”
Al Nasr coach Dan Petrescu said he thought the league is better with more teams, not less.
“It’s a difficult question for me to answer,” said Petrescu, whose team play Al Wahda in the final of the President’s Cup on Friday.
“However, I prefer to have more teams. I don’t like to see clubs disappear. But what can I do?” added Petrescu.
Al Wahda’s ace Argentinian striker Sebastian Tagliabue said: “I don’t know the real situation, why they do this. However, if the Dubai Ruler has done it then it is for the better of the country, for Dubai and for the teams. Maybe they have a lot of money to pay and felt it is better to play one team,” said Tagliabué, who added the combined side will certainly be a force to be reckoned with.
“I have no doubt about one thing; they will be much stronger than now. Because by merging the players of Shabab, Dubai Club and Al Ahli, we will have three teams in one and in the coming year they can fight for Champions League or anything.”
