Former Villarreal, Real Betis and Al Ahly boss Juan Carlos Garrido’s demanding task to stop champions Al Ain’s season from unravelling provides the highlight of the Arabian Gulf League’s latest round.
Garrido, 49, was announced on Monday as successor to Zoran Mamic – who stunningly defected to Saudi Arabia’s Al Hilal late last month – on a contract until the end of 2018/19. He has inherited a side who lost 3-0 to lowly Al Dhafra last time out, putting them five points behind unbeaten leaders Sharjah who welcome resurgent Shabab Al Ahli Dubai Club on Friday.
The Spaniard has returned to work after he was dismissed by Moroccan giants Raja Casablanca after last month’s 2-0 defeat to Tunisia’s Club Africa in the Zayed Champions Cup. Saturday’s task is to welcome an Al Nasr side to Hazza bin Zayed Stadium that lost Tuesday’s dramatic 2019 AFC Champions League play-off to Uzbekistan’s Pakhtakor.
Elsewhere, all eyes will be on Laurentiu Reghecampf when former employers Al Wahda come to crisis-addled Al Wasl.
Last term’s third-placed finishers remained in the relegation mire after they lost 2-1 to promoted Bani Yas. Reghecampf was sacked by the Clarets in November.
