Less than six months after guiding the club to AFC Champions League success, Argentine coach Hernan Crespo has parted ways with Al Ain.
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Al Ain won the AFC Champions League for a second time in May
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Emirati giants qualified for the FIFA Intercontinental Cup and FIFA Club World Cup with that victory
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Poor recent results led to the departure of title-winning coach Hernan Crespo
Barely six months ago Hernan Crespo was feted as a hero, having delivered Al Ain a second continental title. Now the club are on the hunt for a new coach, having parted ways with the 49-year-old following a string of poor results.
A thumping 6-3 aggregate win over Yokohama F.Marinos in May delivered the club a first Champions League title in more than two decades and qualified them for a pair of global tournaments; the FIFA Club World Cup™ and the FIFA Intercontinental Cup™.
Several poor recent results though, one of those a 3-0 defeat to Al Ahly in the African-Asian-Pacific Cup a week-and-a-half ago – saw Crespo come under increasing pressure.
Sitting eighth in the domestic league, a 5-1 loss at Saudi Arabian outfit Al-Nassr this week in the newly re-formatted AFC Champions League Elite leaves Al Ain rock bottom of the 12-team league phase and in real danger of not qualifying for the knockout stage.
That was the trigger for change, with the club releasing a statement on social media noting that recent results had fallen short of their expectations.
“The Board of Directors of Al-Ain Football Club Company today reached an agreement with Argentine coach Hernan Crespo and his coaching staff to end the contractual relationship.
“The Board of Directors thanked the coaching staff for their professionalism and efforts with the team since they took over the task and contributed to achieving Asian success, but the recent results were not up to expectations, and we wish them success in their future career.”
