UAE FA president Yousuf Alserkal believes the timing was wrong for Roy Hodgson to succeed as boss of the Whites.
Hodgson, now in charge of the England national team, coached the Emirates for two years between 2002-2004, but was axed after a disappointing fifth place finish in the Gulf Cup.
The 64-year-old then went on to coach Finland, Fulham, guding the west London club to the Europa League final in 2010, Liverpool and West Brom before landing his “dream” job earlier this year.
Hodgson has previously spoken of how valuable the experience of coaching in the UAE was, especially at a time when he admits: “I didn’t know where my career was going.”
Alserkal, who recently took up the presidency role of the UAE FA for a second time, has also given his backing to the veteran England coach, and believes he was a victim of circumstance and the poor organisation that blighted the game in this region a decade ago.
Roy was the right man at the wrong time when he was UAE coach from 2002- 04,” Alserkal told Sport360.
He came at a time when we did not have a good standard of football and there were wrong decisions in the organising of the competitions. He was not given a good chance to prepare the national team over a good programme.
“We finished fifth in the Gulf Cup by using the players of Al Ain as the base for a national team because he didn’t have chance to prepare a team.
“He took Al Ain, the winners of the 2003 AFC Champions League, and added two or three players. That was his best choice and it was a shame.”
Hodgson has a wealth of experience in the game having spent 32 years in the dugout, managing no fewer than 19 teams from as far afield as Sweden, Switzerland and Italy.
He is now tasked with leading England to the 2014 World Cup after bowing out at the quarter-final stage at Euro 2012 following defeat to Italy on penalties.
Alserkal believes the Three Lions have the right man for the job, though, having seen first hand what Hodgson can do. “I think he’s a good coach with good ideas and I’m not surprised he’s coaching the England national team,” he said.
El Diego
Meanwhile, Alserkal has also given his backing to Argentine legend Diego Maradona, who endured an underwhelming first season in charge of Pro League side Al Wasl.
The 51-year-old was named boss of the Cheetahs to much fanfare last May, but failed to inspire his charges to glory last term as they finished eighth in the domestic league and were beaten in the final of the GCC Champions League.
Speculation the Argentine may be on his way out of the club just 12 months into his two-year deal is reife, but Alserkal believes that would be a mistake.
The UAE FA president, who has previously hinted Maradona is one of the names he is considering for the vacant UAE job, believes the club should be patient and give the World Cup winner more time to get things right at the Zabeel Stadium.
“It is exciting to have him here as a coach. It is surely good publicity for our league while the world’s media have been covering it,” said Alserkal.
“I will not criticise him for not doing well with Al Wasl because the club has not been one of the big clubs. Historically they have done well in the amateur league, but since the Pro League they have not been among the best four teams,” said Alserkal.
“So to criticise Maradona as coach is not fair. I saw good performances from them as a team and we should give him a chance for three seasons.”
He added: I don’t think it’s good to evaluate any coach in one season. It’s fair to give three seasons and if there is no improvement, then try someone else. I hope the clubs will see this too.”
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