Al Jazira manager Marcel Keizer has been handed a two-year contract after leading the Abu Dhabi club to the Arabian Gulf League title.
The contract, which now runs until 2023, sees the Dutchman's commitment to Jazira extended to four years. He joined the club in the summer of 2019 and his term ended with the completion of this season.
“I am extremely proud of this moment today, and particularly as it comes after an exceptional season in which we were crowned deserved UAE league champions,” Keizer said after the signing ceremony at the club on Monday.
“I want to thank the management, board members, backroom staff, fans and above all my players, for their trust in me.
“I believe Jazira and I are a perfect fit as we both possess a strong winning mentality and have massive ambitions to achieve great success.”
Keizer, 52, will lead Jazira in their title defence when the 2021-22 season starts in September, and during the upcoming Asian Champions League.
“We have an exciting challenge ahead to retain the title next season and continue bringing joy to our fans across Abu Dhabi and the UAE,” he added.
“I promise the fans we will continue evolving as a team and we will always give it our best in domestic competitions and the Asian Champions League.”
The league remains on top of Keizer’s list but he insisted his side will challenge for every title they play for.
“In football, every season is different, so we have to see how the team looks like when we re-group in July,” Keizer said.
“There are a lot of things to look forward to, like how much can the other teams improve and so on. The only thing we can do is to improve our own game. Our game was very good for a long time last season.
“However, we still have a lot to do. We would be looking for new players and also younger players to improve further. The league is important. It qualifies us for the Champions League. So is the President’s Cup. But all competitions are important for Jazira.
“Anyway this will have to be decided at the start of the new season. If the team is not big enough, we have to make choices but the league remains our objective from the outset.”
Dr Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, vice president and chairman of the club's executive committee, said they are delighted to retain Keizer.
“In Marcel, we have a master strategic tactician who exemplifies our philosophy of slick, attacking style football,” he said.
“The manager has implemented our vision of developing and relying on young local talent from our academy to ensure the club’s stability and continued success."
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More from Neighbourhood Watch:
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1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years
If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.
2. E-invoicing in the UAE
Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption.
3. More tax audits
Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks.
4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime
Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.
5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit
There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.
6. Further transfer pricing enforcement
Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes.
7. Limited time periods for audits
Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion.
8. Pillar 2 implementation
Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.
9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services
Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations.
10. Substance and CbC reporting focus
Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity.
Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer
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