New Emirates club manager Theo Bucker shown while with Dibba during the 2015/16 Arabian Gulf League season. Jeffrey E Biteng / The National
New Emirates club manager Theo Bucker shown while with Dibba during the 2015/16 Arabian Gulf League season. Jeffrey E Biteng / The National
New Emirates club manager Theo Bucker shown while with Dibba during the 2015/16 Arabian Gulf League season. Jeffrey E Biteng / The National
New Emirates club manager Theo Bucker shown while with Dibba during the 2015/16 Arabian Gulf League season. Jeffrey E Biteng / The National

Theo Bucker confirmed as Emirates manager amid Dibba dispute


John McAuley
  • English
  • Arabic

Theo Bucker has been confirmed as Emirates club’s new manager, little more than one week after Dibba announced he had agreed an extension with them.

The German's future has been the subject of much confusion these past few days, with Emirates claiming last Thursday he had signed a deal only for Dibba to deny any such arrangement could take place. Last season, Bucker guided the newly promoted side to 10th in the Arabian Gulf League.

However, Emirates posted news of Bucker’s arrival on their official social media accounts on Tuesday, with the veteran manager, 67, replacing Paulo Comelli in the dugout for next season. The contract was signed late Monday at the club’s base in Ras Al Khaimah, with a press conference to be held at a later date. Dibba, who originally announced Bucker’s extension on June 10, have reportedly considered taking legal action against him.

In a statement released by Emirates, Bucker thanked the club’s board for trusting him to turn around the team’s fortunes following last season’s disappointing 12th-place finish.

“I am pleased to work with Emirates club, where a family spirit reigns,” Bucker said. “All the elements for success are here, which prompted me to accept the offer. I will put all my energy and experience to succeed with Emirates club and achieve the hopes and expectations of the club and its fans.”

Bucker has been presented with a list of potential signings and is expected to give his recommendations within the next 48 hours. Emirates then begin pre-season on July 16, with a European training camp to take place from July 25. As of yet, the location of the camp has not been decided.

Bucker added: “All Emirates club fans should be aware that the only way to succeed is through the cooperation between the club board, the technical and administrative staffs, the players and the public, who are the first and most important player in the team. The more together the group, the easier the work will be. Neither the coach nor the players can achieve any success in the absence of these elements.”

jmcauley@thenational.ae

Follow us on Twitter @NatSportUAE

Like us on Facebook at facebook.com/TheNationalSport

LOVE%20AGAIN
%3Cp%3EDirector%3A%20Jim%20Strouse%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EStars%3A%20Priyanka%20Chopra%20Jonas%2C%20Sam%20Heughan%2C%20Celine%20Dion%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3ERating%3A%202%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
What can victims do?

Always use only regulated platforms

Stop all transactions and communication on suspicion

Save all evidence (screenshots, chat logs, transaction IDs)

Report to local authorities

Warn others to prevent further harm

Courtesy: Crystal Intelligence

UAE squad to face Ireland

Ahmed Raza (captain), Chirag Suri (vice-captain), Rohan Mustafa, Mohammed Usman, Mohammed Boota, Zahoor Khan, Junaid Siddique, Waheed Ahmad, Zawar Farid, CP Rizwaan, Aryan Lakra, Karthik Meiyappan, Alishan Sharafu, Basil Hameed, Kashif Daud, Adithya Shetty, Vriitya Aravind

Match info:

Real Betis v Sevilla, 10.45pm (UAE)

Springtime in a Broken Mirror,
Mario Benedetti, Penguin Modern Classics

 

Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
  • Priority access to new homes from participating developers
  • Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
  • Flexible payment plans from developers
  • Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
  • DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
Timeline

2012-2015

The company offers payments/bribes to win key contracts in the Middle East

May 2017

The UK SFO officially opens investigation into Petrofac’s use of agents, corruption, and potential bribery to secure contracts

September 2021

Petrofac pleads guilty to seven counts of failing to prevent bribery under the UK Bribery Act

October 2021

Court fines Petrofac £77 million for bribery. Former executive receives a two-year suspended sentence 

December 2024

Petrofac enters into comprehensive restructuring to strengthen the financial position of the group

May 2025

The High Court of England and Wales approves the company’s restructuring plan

July 2025

The Court of Appeal issues a judgment challenging parts of the restructuring plan

August 2025

Petrofac issues a business update to execute the restructuring and confirms it will appeal the Court of Appeal decision

October 2025

Petrofac loses a major TenneT offshore wind contract worth €13 billion. Holding company files for administration in the UK. Petrofac delisted from the London Stock Exchange

November 2025

180 Petrofac employees laid off in the UAE

Specs

Price, base: Dhs850,000
Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
Transmission: Seven-speed automatic
Power: 591bhp @ 7,500rpm
Torque: 760Nm @ 3,000rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 11.3L / 100km

Avatar: Fire and Ash

Director: James Cameron

Starring: Sam Worthington, Sigourney Weaver, Zoe Saldana

Rating: 4.5/5

Gulf Under 19s final

Dubai College A 50-12 Dubai College B

TUESDAY'S ORDER OF PLAY

Centre Court

Starting at 2pm:

Elina Svitolina (UKR) [3] v Jennifer Brady (USA)

Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova (RUS) v Belinda Bencic (SUI [4]

Not before 7pm:

Sofia Kenin (USA) [5] v Elena Rybakina (KAZ)

Maria Sakkari (GRE) v Aryna Sabalenka (BLR) [7]

 

Court One

Starting at midday:

Karolina Muchova (CZE) v Katerina Siniakova (CZE)

Kristina Mladenovic (FRA) v Aliaksandra Sasnovich (BLR)

Veronika Kudermetova (RUS) v Dayana Yastermska (UKR)

Petra Martic (CRO) [8] v Su-Wei Hsieh (TPE)

Sorana Cirstea (ROU) v Anett Kontaveit (EST)

COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Mamo 

 Year it started: 2019 Founders: Imad Gharazeddine, Asim Janjua

 Based: Dubai, UAE

 Number of employees: 28

 Sector: Financial services

 Investment: $9.5m

 Funding stage: Pre-Series A Investors: Global Ventures, GFC, 4DX Ventures, AlRajhi Partners, Olive Tree Capital, and prominent Silicon Valley investors. 

 
PREMIER LEAGUE FIXTURES

Saturday (UAE kick-off times)

Watford v Leicester City (3.30pm)

Brighton v Arsenal (6pm)

West Ham v Wolves (8.30pm)

Bournemouth v Crystal Palace (10.45pm)

Sunday

Newcastle United v Sheffield United (5pm)

Aston Villa v Chelsea (7.15pm)

Everton v Liverpool (10pm)

Monday

Manchester City v Burnley (11pm)