Marcel Keizer’s successful five-month tenure at Al Jazira is set to imminently end after a compensation package was agreed with Sporting Lisbon.
Keizer, 49, undertook training on Wednesday night – and could even stick around for Thursday’s session – ahead of landing in the Portuguese capital on Saturday as replacement for dismissed ex-Al Wahda and Sharjah coach Jose Peseiro. Leoes agreed to meet the €550,000 (Dh2.2 million) release clause in the two-year contract signed only in June by the ex-Ajax supremo.
A swift return to Europe proved too tempting and Jazira’s enamoured board could not convince him to stay. The club are now intent on appointing a third-successive Dutch coach.
Long-term Bert van Marwijk assistant Roel Coumans, 48, recently helped work wonders with Saudi Arabia, plus went with Australia to World Cup 2018.
Keizer’s No2, Damien Hertog, has also impressed senior figures, while the likes of ex-APOEL leader Mario Been are unattached.
Keizer – successor to the iconic Henk ten Cate – has overseen an unbeaten start in the Arabian Gulf League, plus a welcome return to a traditional swashbuckling style. Jazira currently sit second, only two points off leaders Sharjah.
