Quique Sanchez-Flores has revealed he has been offered an extension to his contract with Al Ahli, but the Spaniard is yet to make his mind about taking up the offer.
Former Atletico Madrid boss Sanchez Flores replaced sacked Ivan Hasek at the Rashid Stadium in November last year, initially agreeing to take over just until the end of the season.
However, with Ahli impressing under his guidance after a slow start in the Pro League and setting up a Etisalat Cup final date with city rivals Al Shabab on May 21, it seemed only a matter of time before the Ahli management moved to extend his stay in Dubai.
And so it has proved. “Ahli have made an offer to extend the contract and but I will reveal my decision at the end of the season,” said Sanchez Flores.
“I am very happy with my stay in Dubai and I look back at it as a good decision. I like working here and the players are responding well to me.
“My players here are very understanding and cooperative, both the foreign players as well as the local players, but I am not thinking about that [my future]. I will make a decision when we have played all our football.”
Meanwhile, Sanchez Flores has warned his men against taking relegation-threatened Sharjah lightly ahead of their Pro League clash on Sunday as he feels the northern emirates side are a better side than their lowly position suggests.
“They are capable of surprising anybody. I have seen them play and they are a very good team with good strikers. They play serious football,” he said. “I have told my players that they need to be serious and keep improving their football.”
Asked if he would be tempted to use UAE Olympic team striker Ahmad Khalil, Sanchez Flores said: “He is a good player and I’ve spoken with Olympic team staff, so basically I’m trying to prepare him [for the Games in London].
“We have 2-3 strikers in the team Grafite and Luis Jimenez are ready but none can take their spot in the team for granted. Whoever works hard gets to play.”
The coaching job at Sharjah changed hands thrice this season and the latest incumbent Abdelmajeed Al Nemeer, currently serving on an interim basis, is optimistic the basement boys can spring a surprise.
“We have to be offensive and play to our potential. If we can play at a high level and make the most of our opportunities then we can stay in the Pro League,” Al Nemeer said.
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