Since his arrival at Al Ahli 18 months ago, Quique Sanchez Flores has featured regularly in the Spanish media, linked with a number of high-profile clubs and a possible return to the Primera Liga.
The 48-year-old Spaniard, however, seems to have little time for such speculation. He prefers to focus on his work and family, instead.
"I try not to read anything that is being written," Sanchez Flores said ahead of Ahli's visit to Dibba Al Fujairah for Thursday's Pro League game. "During a season, I am very happy working and spending my free time with my family. I don't read anything and that is the best for me."
Sanchez Flores also reiterated he has not made any decision regarding his future at Ahli beyond this season and will do so only after the final game – the President's Cup final against Al Shabab on May 28.
"The club, at this moment, probably know my thoughts and I probably know the thoughts of the club," he said. "We are only thinking about the final at this moment because that is the most important thing and nothing more.
"At this moment, we are in the same position as we were last year, thinking only about achieving our targets. After that, we will try to make a decision that is best for both the club and me."
He said a contract renewal "is not an issue for me, not for the club and neither for our president".
Sanchez Flores faced similar questions about his future towards the end of last season, as well, but the former Valencia, Benfica and Atletico Madrid manager took a month off with his family in Spain before deciding to continue at the Rashid Stadium for another season.
Club officials are confident he will make the same decision again. Back in January, Sanchez Flores told a Spanish newspaper that he was very happy in Dubai and "I am about to renew my contract for one season".
Recent media reports in Spain have also suggested Sanchez Flores might be keen to bring the Spanish forward Jose Antonio Reyes from Sevilla to Dubai.
According to those reports, Ahli's sports director, Fabio Cannavaro, already has spoken to the former Arsenal star and Reyes might decide to link-up with his former boss from Atletico Madrid.
If those reports are true, it could be the strongest indication yet of Sanchez Flores's desire to continue for another season at Ahli. Qualifying for the Asian Champions League could be a strong incentive, as well.
Sanchez Flores, however, insists his decision will not be based on results.
"I hope the decision we make, the club and me, it will not depend on the second position in the league or winning the President's Cup final because the work done by the coaching staff is very clear," he said.
"We have the respect of the president, we have the respect of the fans and we have the respect of all the people inside the club. I am very happy in this situation. So our decision will not be about the results, but it will be based on feelings - whether we want to continue working together or not.
"We are very happy at the club at this moment because the club is going through a really good phase. So it is important that we enjoy this time till we make our final decision.
"We have a big chance of taking the second position in the Pro League and we want to do it as soon as possible."
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ICC Intercontinental Cup
UAE squad Rohan Mustafa (captain), Chirag Suri, Shaiman Anwar, Rameez Shahzad, Mohammed Usman, Adnan Mufti, Saqlain Haider, Ahmed Raza, Mohammed Naveed, Imran Haider, Qadeer Ahmed, Mohammed Boota, Amir Hayat, Ashfaq Ahmed
Fixtures Nov 29-Dec 2
UAE v Afghanistan, Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi
Hong Kong v Papua New Guinea, Sharjah Cricket Stadium
Ireland v Scotland, Dubai International Stadium
Namibia v Netherlands, ICC Academy, Dubai
THE DETAILS
Director: Milan Jhaveri
Producer: Emmay Entertainment and T-Series
Cast: John Abraham, Manoj Bajpayee
Rating: 2/5
German intelligence warnings
- 2002: "Hezbollah supporters feared becoming a target of security services because of the effects of [9/11] ... discussions on Hezbollah policy moved from mosques into smaller circles in private homes." Supporters in Germany: 800
- 2013: "Financial and logistical support from Germany for Hezbollah in Lebanon supports the armed struggle against Israel ... Hezbollah supporters in Germany hold back from actions that would gain publicity." Supporters in Germany: 950
- 2023: "It must be reckoned with that Hezbollah will continue to plan terrorist actions outside the Middle East against Israel or Israeli interests." Supporters in Germany: 1,250
Source: Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution
Safety 'top priority' for rival hyperloop company
The chief operating officer of Hyperloop Transportation Technologies, Andres de Leon, said his company's hyperloop technology is “ready” and safe.
He said the company prioritised safety throughout its development and, last year, Munich Re, one of the world's largest reinsurance companies, announced it was ready to insure their technology.
“Our levitation, propulsion, and vacuum technology have all been developed [...] over several decades and have been deployed and tested at full scale,” he said in a statement to The National.
“Only once the system has been certified and approved will it move people,” he said.
HyperloopTT has begun designing and engineering processes for its Abu Dhabi projects and hopes to break ground soon.
With no delivery date yet announced, Mr de Leon said timelines had to be considered carefully, as government approval, permits, and regulations could create necessary delays.
Pad Man
Dir: R Balki
Starring: Akshay Kumar, Sonam Kapoor, Radhika Apte
Three-and-a-half stars
The biog
Birthday: February 22, 1956
Born: Madahha near Chittagong, Bangladesh
Arrived in UAE: 1978
Exercise: At least one hour a day on the Corniche, from 5.30-6am and 7pm to 8pm.
Favourite place in Abu Dhabi? “Everywhere. Wherever you go, you can relax.”
Classification of skills
A worker is categorised as skilled by the MOHRE based on nine levels given in the International Standard Classification of Occupations (ISCO) issued by the International Labour Organisation.
A skilled worker would be someone at a professional level (levels 1 – 5) which includes managers, professionals, technicians and associate professionals, clerical support workers, and service and sales workers.
The worker must also have an attested educational certificate higher than secondary or an equivalent certification, and earn a monthly salary of at least Dh4,000.
Electric scooters: some rules to remember
- Riders must be 14-years-old or over
- Wear a protective helmet
- Park the electric scooter in designated parking lots (if any)
- Do not leave electric scooter in locations that obstruct traffic or pedestrians
- Solo riders only, no passengers allowed
- Do not drive outside designated lanes
