Under-fire Al Ahli coach Cosmin Olaroiu has mounted a passionate defence of his crumbling regime, stating he is “more motivated” than ever before to return the club to glory.
The Romanian’s position has come under intense scrutiny after overseeing a collapse from treble winners in his first season at Rashid Stadium to a distant seventh in the Arabian Gulf League. Back-to-back defeats have been recorded, with chants of “Cosmin out” heard during Friday’s 4-0 humiliation at home to Al Wasl.
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Back-to-back defeats have been recorded, with chants of “Cosmin out” heard during Friday’s 4-0 humiliation at home to Al Wasl. Red Knights chairman Abdullah Al Naboodah backed the 45-year-old in the aftermath, but refused to confirm his long-term future.
He said: “Always, I think it is most difficult is for the coach. I always take the responsibility and for me it is difficult to lose even when we play between us in training.
“Usually, I do not lose too many games in my life. I do not like to lose, everyone who works with me knows that.
“I was very upset with all problems we had before the Al Wasl game. I was very, very affected by them.
“After the game, I am more motivated than even when I came on my first day. I am sure in every way this team will be better.
”But we have to support everything – the critics, the people who are manipulated by the media. They don’t know problems and also I cannot talk about them.
“Always, I will take the responsibility. Even, sometimes if it is not our fault.
“Even somebody makes mistake, if it is another problem it will always be my problem. I do not worry we will be back.
“The problem, you know we do not have time to train. We have other problems I cannot tell you now because it will be a long story, but the team will be back.
“What I know in this moment, I am sure we will be back. We make big efforts to do this.
“For the players, it is a good lesson for them and I hope they will wake up in the right moment.”
The former Al Ain boss has rallied against a number of issues recently, speaking with ambivalence about who was behind the club’s aggressive winter transfer market moves and regularly decrying refereeing decisions.
The Red Knights play next at second-bottom Ajman on Thursday. Olaroiu hoped that meetings with his players since the weekend humbling would lead to a change in outlook.
He said: “I was talking yesterday with players, we have to rethink everything and we have to start from now. We are near now to start of the AFC Champions league and we have to change, especially our attitude.
“I know we have some problems and difficulties. Everyone has to make their best effort to pass this moment.
“I hope they understand, think about it and I hope from the game against Ajman with all my heart to see the new Al Ahli.”
