A lot can happen in a short space of time in the Europa League, and four clubs are preparing for their second group game without the coach who led them into the first.
AZ Alkmaar, Tromso, Elfsborg and Maribor have all seen changes, with AZ’s decision to sack Gertjan Verbeek coming as the biggest surprise. It came only a day after they had beaten PSV Eindhoven 2-1 in the Eredivisie.
Verbeek guided AZ to a 1-0 win over Maccabi Haifa in their Group L opener, but it is his assistant, Martin Haar, who will have the responsibilities against Salonika.
If Verbeek’s dismissal came as a surprise, Tromso’s decision to part with Agnar Christensen was not.A 3-2 defeat to IK Start has left them in the thick of a relegation fight with five games to play in the Norwegian Eliteserien, and the club have now turned to Steinar Nilsen.
Their Europa League campaign began with a 3-0 loss to Tottenham Hotspur, but it remains to be seen where Nilsen’s priorities lie as they prepare to face FC Sheriff in Group K.
Slovenian champions Maribor will take on Wigan Athletic in Group D with former striker and assistant coach Ante Simundza in charge after Ante Cacic left the club after a 2-1 league defeat to FC Koper.
At Elfsborg, Jorgen Lennartsson was given his marching orders with the team drifting in the Swedish Allsvenskan. Former Sweden midfielder Klas Ingesson will take charge of their Group C match against Standard Liege.
Group A throws up the most interesting fixtures following Swansea City’s superb 3-0 away win over Valencia.
Michael Laudrup’s men will look to build on that at home to St Gallen, but Valencia face with a tough trip to Kuban Krasnodar.
* Press Association
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MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League final:
Who: Real Madrid v Liverpool
Where: NSC Olimpiyskiy Stadium, Kiev, Ukraine
When: Saturday, May 26, 10.45pm (UAE)
TV: Match on BeIN Sports
Company Profile
Name: Thndr
Started: 2019
Co-founders: Ahmad Hammouda and Seif Amr
Sector: FinTech
Headquarters: Egypt
UAE base: Hub71, Abu Dhabi
Current number of staff: More than 150
Funds raised: $22 million
Company profile
Name: GiftBag.ae
Based: Dubai
Founded: 2011
Number of employees: 4
Sector: E-commerce
Funding: Self-funded to date
MORE ON TURKEY'S SYRIA OFFENCE
The specs
Engine: 3-litre twin-turbo V6
Power: 400hp
Torque: 475Nm
Transmission: 9-speed automatic
Price: From Dh215,900
On sale: Now
Timeline
2012-2015
The company offers payments/bribes to win key contracts in the Middle East
May 2017
The UK SFO officially opens investigation into Petrofac’s use of agents, corruption, and potential bribery to secure contracts
September 2021
Petrofac pleads guilty to seven counts of failing to prevent bribery under the UK Bribery Act
October 2021
Court fines Petrofac £77 million for bribery. Former executive receives a two-year suspended sentence
December 2024
Petrofac enters into comprehensive restructuring to strengthen the financial position of the group
May 2025
The High Court of England and Wales approves the company’s restructuring plan
July 2025
The Court of Appeal issues a judgment challenging parts of the restructuring plan
August 2025
Petrofac issues a business update to execute the restructuring and confirms it will appeal the Court of Appeal decision
October 2025
Petrofac loses a major TenneT offshore wind contract worth €13 billion. Holding company files for administration in the UK. Petrofac delisted from the London Stock Exchange
November 2025
180 Petrofac employees laid off in the UAE
Origin
Dan Brown
Doubleday
Red flags
- Promises of high, fixed or 'guaranteed' returns.
- Unregulated structured products or complex investments often used to bypass traditional safeguards.
- Lack of clear information, vague language, no access to audited financials.
- Overseas companies targeting investors in other jurisdictions - this can make legal recovery difficult.
- Hard-selling tactics - creating urgency, offering 'exclusive' deals.
Courtesy: Carol Glynn, founder of Conscious Finance Coaching
UAE jiu-jitsu squad
Men: Hamad Nawad and Khalid Al Balushi (56kg), Omar Al Fadhli and Saeed Al Mazroui (62kg), Taleb Al Kirbi and Humaid Al Kaabi (69kg), Mohammed Al Qubaisi and Saud Al Hammadi (70kg), Khalfan Belhol and Mohammad Haitham Radhi (85kg), Faisal Al Ketbi and Zayed Al Kaabi (94kg)
Women: Wadima Al Yafei and Mahra Al Hanaei (49kg), Bashayer Al Matrooshi and Hessa Al Shamsi (62kg)
