The continuing shake-up at President’s Cup holders Al Jazira has seen technical director Gianluca Nani depart after less than eight months in the job.
Nani, 53, was brought to Abu Dhabi last December with a wide-ranging remit. But his influence waned following a poor January transfer window and inability this summer to shift unwanted foreign stars Jefferson Farfan, Angel Lafita and Thiago Neves.
The former Brescia, West Ham United and Watford administrator had no influence on the recruitment of Morocco playmaker Mbark Boussoufa last week, or the previous buys of centre midfielders Salem Abdulla and Humaid Ahmed from Al Wasl and Fujairah.
Nani was informed of the decision to part ways on Wednesday night, although a departure had been expected from before the end of last season. No direct replacement is likely to be sought in the immediate future.
An official announcement about the situation is yet to be made.
The call strengthens the position of coach Henk ten Cate, who impressed upon his December arrival after lifting a bedraggled side up to seventh in the Arabian Gulf League and twinning this with silverware. The Dutch influence increased last month when two-time former coach Jan Versleijen was brought back in as an assistant.
Of the staff which Nani employed, goalkeeping coach and ex-Arsenal star Manuel Almunia is expected to stay. The long-term future of first-team coach Gabrielle Cioffi is less certain, while fitness coach Massimo Neri has already departed.
The Italian is the second high-profile technical director to exit the UAE within a year. Bani Yas dismissed Spaniard Jesus Garcia Pitarch during 2015/16, who has since taken up the same role at La Liga heavyweights Valencia.
Nani’s reign will be remembered for the ineffectiveness of his winter additions, although he was issued with a limited budget to repair the damage caused by the catastrophic return of coach Abel Braga to Mohammed bin Zayed Stadium.
Trinidad and Tobago striker Kenwyne Jones struggled to make the starting XI, scoring just four goals in 21 appearances after joining on loan from Cardiff City. Spanish playmaker Lafita is yet to notch in 14 games since moving from Getafe on a two-and-a-half-year deal.
