Doha: Former Italy and Chelsea star Gianfranco Zola has been sacked as coach of Al Arabi, a spokesman for the Qatari Stars League side said on Monday.
Zola, who lasted just one season in Qatar, will be replaced by veteran Uruguayan coach, Gerardo Pelusso. Despite being one of the biggest names in the Qatari league, the Italian, who celebrates his 50th birthday next week, appears to have paid the price for Al Arabi’s poor league form. The club finished eighth in the 14-team league, exactly the same position and with the same number of points, 35, as the previous season. The decision to replace Zola comes after the club installed a new president, Shaikh Khalifa Bin Jabr Al Thani.