Confusion abounds about the future of Theo Bucker after Emirates Club announced he was their new coach a week after Dibba Al Fujairah insisted a contract renewal with them had been signed.
Bucker, 67, led the then newly-promoted club to safety as they impressed upon their return to the top flight. This achievement attracted covetous glances from within the Arabian Gulf League for the German, although all links appeared to end when his expired one-year deal appeared to have been extended.
This situation was blown wide apart on Thursday as the Falcons tweeted that the veteran was to replace Paulo Comelli at the helm of the club who finished just one point and one spot outside the relegation zone during his third season in charge.
This led to an instant rebuttal from Dibba.
“Based on the reports from newspaper and websites that coach Theo Bucker has signed for Emirates Club, we would like to emphasise that coach currently has a contract with Dibba Al Fujairah,” they tweeted.
Bucker has held 12 managerial posts in Arabic-speaking countries since first leading Lebanon from 2000-01. This represents one of two stays with The Cedars, with club posts in that country (Hekmeh, Al Ahed and Nejmeh SC), Egypt (Ismaily, Zamalek and Al Masry), Saudi Arabia (twice at Al Wehda) and Libya (Al Ahli Tripoli) coming before his move to the UAE in summer 2015.
He excelled at Dibba once he took over the top-flight new boys, keeping an unheralded team away from danger for much of the campaign. A dip in form in the final months saw them win only two of their last 10 matches, meaning they came into the final day at risk of relegation prior to a goalless draw with rivals Sharjah and 3-1 loss at Al Nasr for Fujairah which sent their neighbours down.
Rumours of reported interest from Al Wasl and Emirates began to grow once the season ended on May 8.
But Dibba were confident about his retention and tweeted confirmation of an agreement on June 10. Despite making the signings of defender Talal Hamad from Emirates and forward Mayed Almesmari from Al Wahda, tension had grown about the loss of several key players.
This was headlined by midfielder Faisal Ahmed joining Bani Yas, with moves to Wahda for his brother Tariq and Nasser Abdulhadi previously being confirmed.
