Schaefer to stay on with Al Ain for new season

Abu Dhabi: Al Ain have renewed the contract of their German coach Winfred Schaefer for the new 2009-10 season following their team success in the last season winning both the President's and etisalat Cups.

This was disclosed in a press conference on Wednesday, attended by Dr. Khalid Mohammad Abdullah, the Executive Director of the club and Schaefer and his assisting staff who all have new contracts.

"The renewal came after the directions of Shaikh Hazza Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the club and following the technical staff success last season leading our team to win the President's Cup and etisalat Cup in the first professional season and also because of the club's quest to have stability in the technical staff as the team will be fighting on both the domestic and continental fronts in the new season." Dr Abdullah told the conference.

"We have great ambition next season. We finished third in the UFL and we will do our best to win the title while we will also return to the Asian Champions League, a competition we won back in 2003 and we are planning to repeat our feat in the new season.

"We are also grateful for Schaefer for the young talented players he upgraded to the senior team and who have been given the chance to earn experience which will prepare them to build a formidable team for the near future." Dr Abdullah added.

Regarding the contract of the team's Brazilian striker Andre Diaz, Dr Abdullah said " It is almost finished. We agreed on all the details and we are waiting for Diaz to sign the contract."

Schaefer said "I am happy to continue with Al Ain. They are a good team and the club's administration is always keen to provide all facilities for their players and technical staff to help them achieve success which led us two titles and finish third in the league.

He said he was thankful to the club's support and to the loyal fans.

He continued that the club will not repeat last year's failure of UAE clubs in the ACL.

"We will prepare well for the competition and we already know what it takes to win the continent's biggest football tournament. I am optimistic and have confidence in my team." Schaefer concluded.