If anyone was looking for a case study into how not to undertake organisational change, the UAE Football Association’s unfathomable handling of their search for Mahdi Ali’s successor would be an apt place to begin.
With more stops and starts than Fernando Alonso’s miserable F1 season at McLaren, their injudicious behaviour has been alarming. A belated end appears in sight now that Edgardo Bauza, dismissed in April after just eight underwhelming matches at the helm of his native Argentina, has been handed an improved two-year offer.
But the issue remains as to how the governing body has repeatedly stumbled into such a disadvantageous position? There is five weeks left before a qualifier in Thailand from which only victory will keep hopes of making World Cup 2018 on life support.
The failure to adequately prepare for a switch of coach seven months in the making casts the governing body in an alarming light. If they could not organise such a vital, pressing process in a timely manner, how can they be expected to run other aspects of the Emirates game effectively?
Ali’s decision to terminate his transformational four-and-a-half-year tenure in the immediate aftermath of March 28’s 2-0 chasing by Australia contained confirmation of a long-rumoured offer to resign in October. Never mind the fact a stuttering second-round campaign throughout last year should have set alarm bells ringing that the conduit between the ‘Golden Generation’ and their paternal leader was broken.
Ample time had been afforded to ensure the moment the 52-year-old stepped aside, his replacement would be hired.
Fast forward to the spring and the message was sent out that the latest Whites boss would be in situ by the end of April, at the latest. Nothing of the sort has occurred.
The first candidate to receive overtures was Alejandro Sabella, who led Argentina to an extra-time loss in World Cup 2014’s showpiece. His would have been an
appointment borne of ambition.
But it is widely documented in South America that the 62-year-old is unable to work, after undergoing angioplasty for a serious heart condition. It is no wonder that the reply which came back was a regrettable ‘no’.
#Fresh info about #Bauza's new #UAE offer. Second-choice Calderon will take #Iraq job if no talks by Monday
— Matt Monaghan (@mattmonaghan360) May 5, 2017
🇦🇪🇦🇷🇮🇶⚽️https://t.co/ygR00bdWVP pic.twitter.com/JPfZ6ELH23
Sights were then set on Bauza, only for an offer of $3.5 million per annum to be predictably judged too low by a tactician who was selecting the likes of Barcelona icon Lionel Messi, Juventus marksman Gonzalo Higuain and Manchester City striker Sergio Aguero only a month ago.
The next port of call was Colombian Reinaldo Rueda. His track record should have made him an ideal selection by the newly-formed Technical Committee.
Under the 60-year-old’s charge, Honduras and Ecuador had been led to the last two World Cups. He’d also won the 2016 Copa Libertadores at Atletico Nacional, upsetting giants Corinthians, Boca Juniors and Sao Paulo along the way.
Again, a glaring problem was apparent. A sense of loyalty saw Rueda openly declare in discussions he could not relinquish his current post before June 15, two days after the Bangkok clash.
No amount of money or persuasion could unravel this intractable problem.
And so the cavalcade moved again to Bauza, with a positive answer expected within the next week.
Even here there are issues, with second-choice Gabriel Calderon (left) – someone with extensive Middle East experience – not prepared to remain in limbo after Monday thanks to a bid from Iraq.
Bauza also finds his reputation in bits after putting La Albiceleste on the outers during the Road to Russia. His a posteriori knowledge of the region only stretches to a short period at Saudi Arabia’s Al Nassr eight years ago.
If drafted in during the coming days, he will witness just one round of the Arabian Gulf League in person. At best before the Thai date, he’ll then be able to watch qualified Al Ain, plus potential competitors Al Ahli and Al Wahda, in the 2017 AFC Champions League’s round of 16.
It could, and should, have been a much larger sample size.
Damningly, he won’t be the only one accused of fumbling around in the dark should June’s fixture in Bangkok go wrong.
