ABU DHABI // Laszlo Boloni revealed yesterday he was delight to accept the challenge of leading Al Wahda's six-pronged assault on silverware next season after being forced to turn down the chance to manager the Pro League champions four years ago. The Romanian, 57, held talks with Wahda officials in 2006 and was made a formal offer after the club identified him as a replacement for Richard Tardy. They eventually hired Ivo Wortmann, the Brazilian, after Boloni failed to negotiate a release from his contract with Monaco.
"I met the Wahda chairman, Sheikh Saeed bin Zayed, and we talked about many things involving football," said Boloni. "He had made me the offer at that time but it didn't work out, but this time I had no obligations and no hesitations." Boloni eventually landed a move to the UAE the following year after accepting a deal to take charge of Al Jazira. He has fond memories of his time in the capital, particularly during the holy month of Ramadan.
"It was all new to me and learnt and understood the significance of fasting," he recalled yesterday. "It was one of the most wonderful experiences I have had during my job," added the well-travelled coach, who has been at the helm at Sporting Lisbon and Standard Liege. "I loved the lifestyle and travelled around the Emirates, and visited Oman and Iran during that time. "Besides, the year I spent at Jazira, has given me more local experience, which will help me in the season with Wahda. I know how to use that knowledge now. I understand the mentality of the Emirati players and how to handle them during the month of Ramadan, how to play under the sweltering hot conditions, and when it gets cooler and more conducive in the winter period."
Under his guidance, Jazira finished runner-up in the league, after only managing a 1-1 with Al Shabab on the final day of the season which handed Shabab the title. A win would have forced a play-off. Boloni, who left Jazira after one season, arrives with an impressive track record. As a midfielder, he won the European Cup and Uefa Super Cup with Steaua Bucharest in 1986 and collected 108 caps and 25 goals in his international career. His intelligence as a player made him an obvious candidate to make the transition to management and he transferred his success into the dugout, winning the Belgian league championship in his first season with Standard Liege in 2009 and winning the Belgium Super Cup in 2008 and 2009.
Together with his trusty Portuguese assistant, Joaquim Preto, Boloni starts work at Wahda on July 3 before taking the team on a week-long condition camp in Germany from July 12 to August 6. He will, though, be missing six of his players who will be will training with the national team in Austria and another three who are in the Olympic team in Switzerland. "Indeed I would like to have the full squad in my first training but such issues are not uncommon in football," said Boloni, who succeeds Josef Hickersberger as Al Wahda's manager . "When we are talking about the national team players, they are the best in the country anhicked they can adapt."
Boloni will certainly have to adjust to Wahda's hectic schedule this season as they will play in the Pro League, President's Cup, Asian Champions League, Club World, Etisalat Cup and the Super Cup, the match between the Pro League champions and the President's Cup winners, Emirate, in the season curtain-raiser. "I want to prepare a team for all competitions. Of course we will have some tired players when we have to play in five tournaments and for that I intend to have a bigger squad and provide more playing opportunities for the youngsters."
apassela@thenational.ae
