Abu Dhabi: Al Jazira have roped in their club’s U21 Emirati coach Ali Khamis Al Junaibi as caretaker coach until they find a suitable replacement for the sacked Abel Braga.
The Brazilian was shown the door on Saturday after he failed to get the team out of troubled waters since taking over as the coach from Belgian Eric Gerets in June.
This year the club have conceded 38 goals in 16 matches and are currently docked at 11th place in the Arabian Gulf league. On Thurday, Al Jazira lost 4-0 to Fujairah and Braga’s fate was sealed.
Al Junaibi has his task cut out straightaway as his team play Dibba away in the Cup on Tuesday, from which they are already relegated. Al Junaibi’s experience in the Pro League is also limited to assistance coach. He was deputy to Adnan Hamad at Bani Yas for six months and been their U17 coach of three years.
Al Junaibi accepts that the new role is a trial by fire for him but he says he is up for it. “First of all I had to accept the challenge that has been handed to me. It is not just a challenge for me but also for the entire team and the management,” said Al Junaibi, adding that his immediate focus is on the next match.
“We have to look at the next match first and then see where we stand. I along with the entire team will try to do our best,” said Al Junaibi, who has also served the Al Ain team as a player.
Al Junaibi went on to reveal that he was keen to find the right balance in the ‘offence and defence’ which according to him led to the team’s downfall this season.
“The balance of the team is important in football. I think that is one area where the team needs immediate attention. After the next game we will know in which direction we need to go,” said Al Junaibi.
