Former Argentina striker, Hernan Crespo, is set to be appointed as the new manager of United Arab Emirates Pro League side, Al Ain, replacing Alfred Schreuder.
Schreuder, who spent in charge of Eredivisie giants Ajax last season, was recently sacked by the Emirati club as they sit third in the table with two defeats in their opening seven matches, two points adrift of co-league leaders Al Wasl and Shabab Al Ahli – who they finished as runners’ up to by three points last season.
48-year-old Crespo is now set to take charge and challenge for the UAE Pro League title after spending time in Qatar with Qatar Stars League outfit, Al Duhail.
Al Duhail, who boast the likes of Philippe Coutinho, currently sit fourth in the QSL table, behind Al Sadd, Al Gharafa and Al Wakrah. They are three points off the league leaders and dominant side, Al Sadd.
Crespo, who scored 35 goals in 64 appearances for the Argentine national side and played for the likes of Lazio, Inter, Chelsea and Milan in his playing career, began his managerial career with the youth side of his former club, Parma, in 2014.
After a season with Parma, he moved on to Modena before working behind the scenes on several projects at Parma and then ending up back in his home country in 2019. He coached both Banfield and Defensa y Justicia before a short stint in charge at Brazilian giants Sao Paulo in 2021. He was appointed Al Duhail boss at the start of the 2022/23 QSL campaign.
His Al Ain side, who will be expecting to mount a challenge for the Emirati title as 14-time winners and most recently as 2022, will likely be built around Israeli international, Omer Atzili.
His first game in charge is expected to be on Saturday 24th November when they take on the aforementioned Shabab Al Ahli in a crucial top-of-the-table clash.
