Miracle worker Rodolfo Arruabarrena could be set for an immediate return to the Arabian Gulf League after he called time on his short reign at Qatar’s Al Rayyan.
Arruabarrena, 43, joined the Doha outfit in July once Al Wasl surprisingly declined to renew his expiring contract. This followed two stellar seasons under the ex-Argentina left-back, in which top-flight finishes of second and third represent the best of an otherwise-trying professional era.
Rumours erupted about the job security of replacement Gustavo Quinteros in the wake of Friday’s terrible 2-1 loss at pointless Al Dhafra. Arruabarrena was also considered as an alternative to Jose Luis Sierra at Shabab Al Ahli Dubai Club in the summer, with the former Chile midfielder’s uncertain start not convincing the leadership about his ongoing suitability.
“Rodolfo Arruabarrena apologises to Al Rayyan for failing to continue as coach in the next period,” Rayyan tweeted on Sunday.
He last took charge of the Lions in Friday’s 1-0 loss at Al Khor. This result saw them slip down to fourth in the 2018/19 Qatar Stars League.
Arruabarrena had begun his reign in promising fashion with a penalty-shootout triumph against dominant Al Duhail in August’s Sheikh Jassim Cup.
But the departure of prolific Morocco striker Abderrazaq Hamdallah to Saudi Arabia’s Al Nassr contributed to a downturn in results.
Arruabarrena’s stock in the UAE, however, remains high.
Last term witnessed narrow defeats in the Arabian Gulf Cup and President’s Cup showpieces.
الفاسكو يعتذر لإدارة الريان عن عدم إستمراره مدربا للرهيب في الفتره القادمة pic.twitter.com/ndOj8sMHSv
— AlRayyanSC (@AlrayyanSC) October 7, 2018
He further guided Wasl to a club-record 23 undefeated AGL matches from January 2017-January 2018.
The Cheetahs this year also marked their return to the AFC Champions League after a decade away. An ignominious six losses out of six Group C-fixtures followed.
Successor Quinteros, in comparison, has won just two of his five top-flight matches. The Cheetahs headed into the international break in sixth.
Sierra’s heralded recruitment from Saudi Arabia’s Al Ittihad has generated two wins and three defeats for the seventh-placed side, despite substantial summer investment.
