Manuel Jimenez's first spell at Al Wahda was ended following the Covid-19 outbreak. Photo: Al Wahda Football Club
Manuel Jimenez's first spell at Al Wahda was ended following the Covid-19 outbreak. Photo: Al Wahda Football Club
Manuel Jimenez's first spell at Al Wahda was ended following the Covid-19 outbreak. Photo: Al Wahda Football Club
Manuel Jimenez's first spell at Al Wahda was ended following the Covid-19 outbreak. Photo: Al Wahda Football Club

Manuel Jimenez on mission to complete unfinished job in second spell at Al Wahda


Amith Passela
  • English
  • Arabic

Manuel Jimenez has been unveiled as the new Al Wahda manager in what sees him face a difficult start to his second spell at the Al Nahyan Stadium.

The Spaniard replaces Portuguese Carlos Carvalhal, who became the first casualty of the season after four games despite a 4-0 win in his last game against the promoted Al Bataeh.

Jimenez, 58, was appointed in a similar way by the Abu Dhabi club following the dismissal of Dutchman Maurice Steijn after four games in October 2019.

Under him, Wahda were in second spot in the league when the competition was cancelled following the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic. Jimenez’s contract wasn’t renewed and then he returned to AEK Athens for a fifth spell.

“I loved this club and I’m glad to be back,” Jimenez said on Tuesday.

“We will work together and we will put all our efforts to challenge all titles. I watched the four games of Wahda this season. They are a good side and we will work in the best way and try to improve to achieve better results.”

First up is Al Nasr in the Adnoc Pro League at home on Saturday, followed by an away fixture at Al Ain on October 15 and the President’s Cup final with the current league leaders Sharjah on October 21.

“They are difficult matches but we will fight for the win in every game we play,” Jimenez said.

“Everything is possible in football. We will take one game at a time and our focus will be the next match against Al Nasr.”

Ismail Matar and Sebastian Tagliabue are two players Jimenez remembers during his time at the Al Nahyan Stadium.

“It’s nice to meet them again,” he said of the two veterans. “They are true professionals and have been in the game for a long time. I would like to think they are still the players that I knew during my time.”

Jimenez spent two seasons with Al Rayyan of Qatar from 2013 to 2015. Rayyan were relegated from the Qatar Stars League in his first season but earned promotion the following year.

He said he took a year off from football “for family reasons” when Wahda approached him with a deal to lead them for the rest of the season.

“I had a few offers at the time but chose to take charge of Wahda because I worked with them for nearly a season and could not finish the job because of the pandemic,” he said.

The specs

Engine: Direct injection 4-cylinder 1.4-litre
Power: 150hp
Torque: 250Nm
Price: From Dh139,000
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Novak Djokivic (1) v Marin Cilic (9) from 2pm UAE time

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Stefanos Tsitsipas (8) v Alexander Zverev (3) from 9.30pm

Stan Wawrinka v Rafael Nadal (2) from 11.30pm

Women's semi-finals

Belinda Bencic v Simona Halep (3) from 4.30pm

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One school of thought viewed the removal of organs after death as equally impermissible.

That view has largely changed, and among scholars and indeed many in society, to be seen as permissible to save another life.

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Living in...

This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.

The specs

Engine: 4.0-litre V8 twin-turbocharged and three electric motors

Power: Combined output 920hp

Torque: 730Nm at 4,000-7,000rpm

Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch automatic

Fuel consumption: 11.2L/100km

On sale: Now, deliveries expected later in 2025

Price: expected to start at Dh1,432,000

If you go...

Fly from Dubai or Abu Dhabi to Chiang Mai in Thailand, via Bangkok, before taking a five-hour bus ride across the Laos border to Huay Xai. The land border crossing at Huay Xai is a well-trodden route, meaning entry is swift, though travellers should be aware of visa requirements for both countries.

Flights from Dubai start at Dh4,000 return with Emirates, while Etihad flights from Abu Dhabi start at Dh2,000. Local buses can be booked in Chiang Mai from around Dh50

Essentials

The flights

Emirates and Etihad fly direct from the UAE to Geneva from Dh2,845 return, including taxes. The flight takes 6 hours. 

The package

Clinique La Prairie offers a variety of programmes. A six-night Master Detox costs from 14,900 Swiss francs (Dh57,655), including all food, accommodation and a set schedule of medical consultations and spa treatments.

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Updated: October 04, 2022, 4:35 PM