Dubai: Ivan Jovanovic’s first game back in charge of Al Nasr, somewhat ironically will be against Al Wahda on Wednesday. It was the same team his side lost to 5-1 before he was sacked in October 2016.
The Serbian was reinstated on Friday, 16 months and two managers on from his initial three-year trophy-laden spell in charge of the Oud Mehta Club.
His immediate successor, Romanian coach Dan Petrescu, lasted just eight months (October 2016 to May 2017) before he was sacked at the end of last season after losing the President’s Cup final 3-0 to Al Wahda, and finishing sixth in the league.
Meanwhile, Petrescu’s Italian successor Cesare Prandelli, lasted just nine months (May 2017 to January 2018) before being sacked after losing last Wednesday’s President’s Cup Last 16 clash 5-3 on penalties to Dibba, with the club fourth in the league.
Jovanovic ended Al Nasr’s 25-year wait for silverware when he took over in 2013, winning the 2014 GCC Champions League, plus the 2014/15 President’s Cup and League Cup double. He also got Al Nasr out of their Asian Champions League group for the first time to reach the quarters in 2016.
The Serbian returns to bring success back to the club begging the question as to whether he should have been sacked in the first place.
It also remains to be seen if he will enjoy the same success in his second term. Abel Braga (Al Jazira), Ivan Hasek (Al Ahli), Josef Hickersberger (Al Wahda) and Valeriu Tita (Sharjah) all had successful first terms with the above clubs but damaged their reputations with unsuccessful returns.
As for Prandelli, after winning just five league games from 12 with Al Nasr, and failing in his third successive foreign assignment following similarly quick stints with Galatasaray and Valencia, it’s uncertain where he will go now.
The former Italy and Fiorentina coach hasn’t been successful outside his own country and likely won’t be due a return to Italy having not managed a club side there in over eight years.
Having led Italy to a humiliating group stage exit in the 2014 World Cup after having reached the final at Euro 2012, his stock back home is also low. Al Jazira have been put on notice with their coach Henk ten Cate saying he will discuss his future after having lost the Super Cup 2-0 to Al Wahda on Saturday, so the Abu Dhabi outfit may well be one possible option for Prandelli.
