Speculation over Boloni's future at Al Wahda

Dubai: UFL champions Al Wahda have denied that newly appointed Laszlo Boloni is to become the first managerial casualty of the Etisalat Pro League season — after just two competitive games in charge — despite speculation from several Brazilian football websites linking Adenor Leonardo Bacchi (aka Tite) to the post.

Speaking to Gulf News yesterday, Al Wahda's team manager Khalid Awad told Gulf News: "There is no change in the coaching set-up. Boloni is Al Wahda coach and we go into tonight's game against Kalba at home with Boloni in charge."

Awad was reacting to articles on Brazilian news sites zerohora.com and finalsports.com on August 31, seemingly confirming Al Wahda's appointment of Tite, 49, formerly of Internacional, Palmeiras, Gremio, Caxias and Corinthians. Tite has been unemployed since October last year.

Finalsports.com said it received the information from Radio Bandeirantes that Tite would land in the Emirates today or Friday and that the deal was confirmed.

Players link-up

Both sites celebrated the fact that Tite would be linking up with fellow Brazilians Hugo Assis, Fernando Baiano and Marcio Rodrigues Magrao — in time for the much anticipated Fifa Club World Cup in December.

Boloni, a former 1986 European Cup winning midfielder with Steaua Bucharest has only been in charge for two games at the Abu Dhabi side. He lost the Super Cup in a shock defeat to newly relegated Emirates 3-1 and fell to a 2-0 defeat in the league opener against Al Wasl, both within the last fortnight. If true, this will be an Etisalat Pro League record for the fastest coaching dismissal ever.

Apart from defending their UFL crown, Al Wahda will also be leading the UAE challenge in the Fifa World Cup in Abu Dhabi.