DUBAI // Dorival Junior is at the top of Al Wasl's list to fill their manager's spot, which has been vacant since the departure of Argentine Hector Cuper earlier this month.
Wasl are keen to return to the Brazilian school of coaching after the club and Cuper parted ways on March 4, following a disappointing four months during which his team won four of their 16 matches and lost 10.
According to a source at Wasl, the club management have identified Dorival, who is without a club since leaving Fluminense in November, as their primary target.
“Dorival is one of the candidates to take over the team along with an Argentine coach,” said the source.
“But we have not made any decision yet and we are in no rush. [Interim coach] Saleem Abdulrahman is likely to continue for the time being.”
Reports in Brazil have also addressed Dorival’s move to the UAE, with the Futnet website claiming the 51 year old is in talks with a club in both Abu Dhabi and Dubai.
Dorival has managed some of the top clubs in Brazil, winning the Serie B league title with Vasco da Gama in 2009, the Paulistao and Brazil Cup with Santos in 2010 and the Recopa Sudamericana with Internacional in 2011.
If he does move to Wasl, he will aim to replicate the success of compatriot Ze Mario, who won the league and President’s Cup double in 2006/07.
Struggling in 10th place on the Arabian Gulf League table, Wasl fans have seen seven different managers – Frenchmen Bruno Metsu, Gilles Morriseau, Guy Lacombe and Laurent Banide, Emiratis Eid Baroot and Abdulrahman, and Argentine Cuper – over the last two seasons after the club decided to sack Argentine legend Diego Maradona in the summer of 2012, midway through his two-year contract.
arizvi@thenational.ae
Follow us on twitter at @SprtNationalUAE
