Al Sadd’s Portuguese coach Jesualdo Ferreira.
Doha: Al Sadd’s Portuguese coach Jesualdo Ferreira who guided the Wolves to a season opening Sheikh Jassim Cup win and second-place finishes in the QNB Stars League (QSL) and Qatar Cup has been rewarded with a contract extension, the club announced on its website.
The 72-year-old will be in charge of the team as they prepare for the crucial AFC Champions league quarter-final clash against Esteghlal, which takes place in August.
“The Al Sadd Club management is pleased to announce that football first team head coach Jesualdo Ferreira has extended his contract for another year and is set to stay until the end of the 2018-19 season,” the club said.
The Qatari side travel to Iran for the first leg of the double leg quarter-final in August.
The former Zamalek coach joined the club in December 2015, replacing Hussein Amute, who was with the side for three years. In the first season with club he led the Wolves to title triumphs in the Qatar Cup and in the Amir Cup. Ferreira had said after joining the club that he is committed to helping his side win titles again.
“I am happy to come to Doha and this will be my first time here. I would urge the fans to stand behind this great team and the players to focus on playing well and giving their best. I hope to succeed with this side by getting desired results at all events we play,” he had said at his first news conference.
The experienced Portuguese tactician was the assistant manager for the Portuguese national team in the 1990s, and manager for the under-21 national team until the 1999–00 season.
Ferreira’s hands have been strengthened with midfield maestro Xavi Hernandez also extending his contract by two more years, a few weeks back.
The Barca legend signed a two-year contract extension with the Wolves and will be with the club until the end of the 2019-2020 season. Xavi has just completed his third season with the club, after originally joining the club in 2015 on a two-year contract.
During his time at the club, Al Sadd won the 2017 Qatar Cup, the 2017 Amir Cup and the 2017-18 Sheikh Jassim Cup. Xavi has also played a prominent role in leading the Wolves to the quarterfinals of the 2018 AFC Champions League.
Xavi expressed his delight in remaining at the club. “I am happy to keep on being a part of the Al Sadd family for two more years,” Xavi said.
