Al Jazira have looked to the Netherlands once again and hired former Ajax head coach Marcel Keizer as replacement for revitalising countryman Henk ten Cate.
Keizer, 49, comes to Mohammed bin Zayed Stadium on a two-year contract and inherits a talented side that was beset by external issues last term.
We take a look at the pressing issues he will need to solve if he is to replicate the stellar achievements of his lionised predecessor.
REHABILITATING HIS REPUTATION
It was not just Jazira’s name that took a pounding last term.
Keizer was handed a huge promotion in summer 2017 from Jong Ajax – and subsequently blew it. The words of general manager Edwin van der Sar were particularly scathing, stating: “We had a horrible summer and poor start to the season.”
This is certainly true of the failures in the Champions League and Europa League play-offs, ending a 25-year continuous spell of European competition.
Yet Kaizer can argue he’d earned 16 of the last 18 available points when Ajax pulled the trigger on December 21 – the Eredivisie’s best form at the time.
Such achievements show Jazira have done their homework on the new man. It is time to repay this show of faith.
الجزيرة #فخر_ابوظبي يتعاقد مع الهولندي مارسيل كايزر لتدريب الفريق الأول
— نادي الجزيرة (@AlJazira_uae) June 2, 2018
التفاصيل: https://t.co/SyHz2tcnQy
Al Jazira Appoints Marcel Keizer as New Coach
more details: https://t.co/FvtzAeMcCQ pic.twitter.com/NUkAKSBe5r
YOUTH IS THE FUTURE
A key aspect of Keizer’s CV must have appealed to Jazira – his focus on youth.
When in charge of the fabled Jong Ajax – Ajax’s main youth team – in 2016/17, he led them to second place in the Eerste Divisie. Vitally, Matthijs de Ligt came under his care at this time and is now Europe’s greatest centre-back prospect.
The doomed stints of UAE forward Ahmed Khalil, ex-France anchorman Lassana Diarra and Uzbekistan winger Sardor Rashidov ensured that youngsters got chances last term under Ten Cate.
Keizer should now relish getting his hands on the likes of defenders Mohamed Al Attas and Khalifa Al Hammadi.
GETTING A GRIP ON RECRUITMENT
Last summer’s recruitment drive promised untold success for Jazira – it instead delivered misery.
Brazilian forward Romarinho is the only man left standing, with Emirati centre-back Mohammed Ali Ayed imminently expected to sign for Al Wahda.
It doesn’t look much better for the winter additions of Oman pair Mohammed Al Musalami and Harib Al Saadi. This churn of talent is no way to run a football club.
Both a new administration and manager must aim for consistency of selection if 2016/17’s drive for Arabian Gulf League glory is to be repeated.
