Marcel Keizer is yet to make a definitive decision about whether to swiftly end his successful five-month stay at Al Jazira and accept an alluring approach from Portugal giants Sporting Lisbon.
Keizer, 49, has become the main target for Leoes president Frederico Varandas since head coach Jose Peseiro was dismissed on November 1. Defeat to second-tier Estoril in the Taca de Liga proved terminal for the ex-Al Wahda and Sharjah tactician, who also departed with the 18-time Primeira Liga champions a disappointing fifth in the top flight.
Wild reports in the Portuguese media stated that Keizer had landed at Lisbon Portela Airport on Monday morning. The ex-Ajax supremo, however, remained at the team hotel in Abu Dhabi to continue usual preparations for the evening’s meeting with Al Wasl – potentially his final match in charge – at Mohammed bin Zayed Stadium in the Arabian Gulf League.
Jazira’s management have been wowed by the summer replacement for legendary fellow Dutchman Henk ten Cate and are loathe to release him. A two-year agreement which contained financial terms that are, by far, the most-lucrative of his 11-year coaching career was only inked in June.
Sporting have turned to Keizer after approaches for lauded countrymen Frank Rijkaard, Frank de Boer and Peter Bosz met with defeat. Another two-year deal, worth €1 million per annum gross, was reported to have been presented by Diario de Noticias.
Intriguingly, Jazira doctor Joao Pedro Araujo – a friend of ex-Al Ahli and Wasl midfielder Hugo Viana, who is currently Sporting’s director of international relations – has already agreed to join Leoes.
Keizer has rehabilitated his coaching career after a promotion from Jong Ajax to the senior team ended with the sack in December 2017, after less than six miserable months at the helm.
Last month’s 2-0 triumph at champions Al Ain underlined the value of his work.
Keizer also counts minnows Argon, VVSB, Telstar, FC Emmen and SC Cambuur among his former postings.
