UAE's Al-Ain name Jardim as manager after sacking Crespo

Defending Asian football champions Al Ain have announced the appointment of former AS Monaco manager Leonardo Jardim as the successor to Argentine coach Hernan Crespo, as confirmed by the UAE Pro League club on Friday.

Jardim has signed a contract that extends until the conclusion of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup in July of the following year. He previously guided Monaco to a Ligue 1 title and an impressive journey to the Champions League semi-finals in 2017, although he was dismissed from his position in 2018.

In 2022, the Portuguese coach took on the role of manager at Shabab Al-Ahli, where he played a pivotal role in securing their eighth UAE Pro League title last year, before spending a season at Al-Rayyan in Qatar.

Crespo was relieved of his duties on Wednesday following a series of disappointing results.

This decision was made shortly after the team suffered a 5-1 defeat to Saudi Pro League side Al Nassr in the Asian Champions League Elite, as well as a 3-0 loss to Egypt's Al-Ahly in the FIFA Intercontinental Cup at the end of the previous month.

Currently, Al Ain has accumulated only one point from four matches in the Asian Champions League Elite and sits in eighth place in the UAE Pro League standings.

SportsLigue