Al Ahli’s new Czech coach Milan Macala speaks during press conferences held yesterday ahead of the start of new QNB Stars League (QSL) season. Picture: Salim Matramkot / The Peninsula
DOHA: Tactical and technical confrontations between the coaches are sure to steal the spotlight in the QNB Stars League (QNB) 2018-19 season.
Many eminent coaches are at the helm of clubs in this season’s QSL as well.
Tunisian Nabil Maaloul, who coached his country’s national team at the recent FIFA World Cup in Russia, has replaced Algerian Djamel Belmadi at defending champions Al Duhail.
Last season’s runners-up Al Sadd have retained Jesualdo Ferreira. The Portuguese is a result-oriented master tactician. He is more experienced, having been in the profession since 1981 and coached teams in Spain, Greece and Egypt besides his native Portugal.
Al Rayyan replaced Danish great Michael Laudrup with Rodolfo Arruabarrena. The former Argentina left-back will have his task cut out as The Lions endured a trophy-less season even though they had reached the Emir’s Cup final, where they lost to Al Duhail.
Al Gharafa signed Christian Gourcuff in place of Turk Bulent Uygun, who played his part in The Cheetah’s fourth-place finish last season, having taken over the side halfway through the tournament.
Laurent Banide returned to Umm Salal. The Frenchman is no stranger to The Orange Fortress, having trained them in 2008. He coached Al Khor at the start of last season and had trained Al Kharaitiyat earlier.
Tunisian Sami Trabelsi extended his long stay at Al Sailiyah, while Croat Luka Bonacic also stayed at Al Arabi.
Tunisian Adel Sellimi became Al Khor coach succeeding his compatriot Nassif Al Bayawi, who has been named as the new coach of Al Kharaitiyat, replacing Yasser Sebaei.
Milan Macala, who returned to Al Ahli, is keen to help them finish in the top half.
Qatar SC’s Abdulla Mubarak is the only national coach on the scene. He did admirably well with The Kings last season.
Jose Murcia also has a big task on his hand — to enable promoted team Al Shahaniya to impress in the top flight. He had coached them last season as well.
QSL team coaches
Al Duhail: Nabil Maaloul
Al Sadd: Jesualdo Ferreira
Al Rayyan: Rodolfo Arruabarrena
Al Gharafa: Christian Gourcuff
Umm Salal: Laurent Banide
Al Sailiyah: Sami Trabelsi
Al Arabi: Luka Bonacic
Al Khor: Adel Sellimi
Al Kharaitiyat: Nassif Al Bayawi
Al Ahli: Milan Macala
Qatar SC: Abdulla Mubarak
Al Shahaniya: Jose Murcia
