Dubai: Al Ahli coach Henk Ten Cate resigned on Wednesday night following his team’s 5-0 drubbing at the hands of Qatar’s Al Sadd in their Group D 2010 AFC Champions League match.
"I am deeply ashamed by what has happened today. This is the worst day of my coaching career and I have a feeling I am not the right person to lead this club," Cate told a stunned media at the post-match conference.
The 55-year-old Cate, who was assistant to Frank Rijkaard at Barcelona during their Champions League Trophy and La Liga success in 2006, was in charge of the Red Knights for a little over one month.
“I feel I am not the right person to change the mentality of this team. I was positive I could achieve this till this match. I cannot lead a team like this that does not want to fight till the very end,” Cate added.
“I don’t owe anything to the club and the club does not have to give me anything. I will return the salary for the ten days of work I have put in for this month. My decision is final. I will leave this club,” Cate added.
The Dutchman was the fourth coach for this season for the defending UAE Football League (UFL) following the earlier departure of Nourruddin Ahmad, Mahdi Ali and Yusuf Al Zawawi.
