Hernan Crespo sacked six months after guiding Al Ain to AFC Champions League title

Argentine dismissed after club say 'recent performances have fallen short of what we believe this team is capable of'

Al Ain have sacked Hernan Crespo only six months after the Argentine guided the UAE club to the AFC Champions League title.

The Garden City club acted a day after suffering a heavy 5-1 defeat to Cristiano Ronaldo's Al Nassr in the rebranded AFC Champions League Elite that left Al Ain bottom of the West Asia group after four games.

"The outcome of this season was not in line with our ambitions," the club said in a statement. "While we thank coach Crespo and his technical staff for their efforts and professionalism, the recent performances have fallen short of what we believe this team is capable of."

Al Ain said a replacement for Crespo will be announced soon.

Crespo, 49, took over in November last year and in May led Al Ain to victory over Japan's Yokohama F Marinos in the two-legged final of the Champions League.

It bookended a fairytale run that also saw Al Ain eliminate Saudi giants Al Nassr and Al Hilal on their way to clinching a second continental crown.

Al Ain players and coaching staff celebrate after beating Yokohama F Marinos to win the AFC Champions League on May 25, 2024. Al Ain won 5-1 at Hazza Bin Zayed Stadium and 6-3 on aggregate. All images: Chris Whiteoak / The National

Two-goal hero and man of the match Soufiane Rahimi celebrates victory.

Al Ain manager Hernan Crespo celebrates with the trophy.

Al Ain celebrate their victory at Hazza Bin Zayed Stadium.

Al Ain celebrate their victory at Hazza Bin Zayed Stadium.

Al Ain celebrate their victory at Hazza Bin Zayed Stadium.

Al Ain manager Hernan Crespo celebrates the win.

Al Ain players celebrate after the match.

Soufiane Rahimi after scoring his second of the match and Al Ain's third.

Kaku scores Al Ain's second goal from the spot.

Al Ain manager Hernan Crespo.

Soufiane Rahimi celebrates after scoring for Al Ain to make it 1-0 on the night.

Yokohama' goalkeeper William Popp after being sent off.

Yokohama's Australian manager Harry Kewell.

Al Ain's Soufiane Rahimi after scoring his second of the match.

Al Ain's Kaku celebrates after scoring.

Yokohama's Yan Matheus celebrates after scoring.

Soufiane Rahimi scores for Al Ain.

Yokohama's Yan Matheus after scoring.

Al Ain fans before the game at Hazza Bin Zayed Stadium.

Yokohama fans before the game at Hazza Bin Zayed Stadium.

Al Ain fans head to the stadium.

Al Ain fans ahead of the AFC Champions League final second leg.

Yokohama fans at the Hazza Bin Zayed Stadium in Al Ain. Chris Whiteoak / The National

An Al Ain fan outside Hazza Bin Zayed Stadium.

Yokohama fans in the stadium before the game.

However, the former Chelsea and Inter Milan star's side have been on a poor run of form since late September, the final straw being Tuesday's heavy away defeat to the Saudi side Al Nassr. Ronaldo scored once in the rout.

They have also had a poor start to their UAE Pro League campaign and are eighth in the 14-team table. Al Ain have eight points from five matches and are 10 points adrift of leaders Shabab Al Ahli.

Al Ain also exited the Intercontinental Cup after a 3-0 defeat to African champions Al Ahly in the second round.

In all, Crespo led the team in 47 games, achieving 23 wins, six draws, and 18 losses.

The timing of the announcement has left many fans and observers questioning who will step in to fill the void left by Crespo.

There should be no shortage of suitors. Al Ain are one of the UAE's most decorated club with 14 league titles, a record, seven President's Cups and two League Cups.

They are the only Emirati side to win the Asian Champions League having first clinched the trophy in 2001 when it was known as the GCC Champions Cup.