Al Shabab pick former Al Jazira coach Junior as their manager

DUBAI // Al Shabab have announced former Al Jazira coach Caio Junior as their new manager for next season.

Replacing Belgian Franky Vercauteren at Jazira in March, 2012, the Brazilian helped the team win the President’s Cup and reach the knockout stages of the Champions League as Group A toppers.

Jazira, however, decided against retaining his services for the next season, bringing in Paulo Bonamigo from Shabab instead. But given his success at the Capital club, Shabab are convinced Junior is the best man to lead their team next season and he has been given a one-year deal.

“He did a good job with Jazira and given his knowledge of UAE football, the club believe he is the best candidate to lead the team,” a Shabab spokesman said. “Last season, we did not do as well as we would have liked and we are confident Caio Junior will help the team meet the expectations of the club and the fans.”

Shabab parted ways with Marcos Paqueta, their coach for the last two seasons, after a disappointing finish to their 2013-14 campaign, when they managed only two points from their last six Arabian Gulf League matches. They also failed to reach a final for the first time in seven years.

Since then, the club had been linked with Romanian Dan Petrescu and former Celtic manager Neil Lennon.

arizvi@thenational.ae