UAE's Al Ain appoint Leonardo Jardim as manager after dismissing Hernan Crespo

Reuters

Jardim led Monaco to the Ligue 1 titleREUTERS / Suhaib Salem

Defending Asian football champions Al Ain have appointed former AS Monaco manager Leonardo Jardim (50) to replace Argentine coach Hernan Crespo (49), the UAE Pro League side said on Friday.

Jardim, who has signed a contract until the end of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup in July next year, led Monaco to the Ligue 1 title and a remarkable run to the Champions League semi-finals in 2017 but was relieved of his duties in 2018.

The Portuguese coach was appointed manager of Shabab Al-Ahli in 2022, helping them win their eighth UAE Pro League title last year, then managed Al-Rayyan in Qatar for a season.

Crespo was sacked on Wednesday after a run of poor results.

The decision came a day after the team's 5-1 defeat to Saudi Pro League club Al Nassr in the Asian Champions League Elite and a 3-0 defeat to Al-Ahly of Egypt in the FIFA Intercontinental Cup at the end of last month.

Al Ain have just one point from four games in the Asian Champions League Elite and are eighth in the UAE Pro League standings.

Mentions

FootballAl Ain

Tennis Tracker: Krejcikova defeats Gauff as Swiatek knocked out of WTA Finals

Jannik Sinner avoids major rival Carlos Alcaraz as ATP Finals groups announced

Barbora Krejcikova defeats Coco Gauff at WTA Finals to send Iga Swiatek packing

Ruben Amorim's to-do list at Manchester United as he looks to build morale

UAE's Al Ain appoint Leonardo Jardim as manager after dismissing Hernan Crespo

Hernan Crespo shown door by Al Ain just months after AFC Champions League glory

Al Ain part ways with Argentine coach Crespo following poor results

Ronaldo strikes as Al Nassr thrash Asian Champions League holders Al Ain

Arsenal and Manchester City look to recover after league blips as title race hots up

Dortmund still plagued by injuries but back-to-back wins lift spirits

Lukaku returns for Belgium in desperate bid to make Nations League quarter-finals

Galatasaray's Mauro Icardi to have surgery after suffering ACL injury

Arne Slot not surprised by Liverpool's near-perfect start to the season

Europa League Team of the Round: Taylor stars for Ajax as Diallo and Mertens impress

Israel to collect football fans from Amsterdam after apparent anti-semitic attacks

Andre Onana says Manchester United players want Ruud van Nistelrooy to stay on

Ange Postecoglou admits poor first half cost Tottenham at Galatasaray

Tennis Tracker: Krejcikova defeats Gauff as Swiatek knocked out of WTA Finals

Jannik Sinner avoids major rival Carlos Alcaraz as ATP Finals groups announced

Barbora Krejcikova defeats Coco Gauff at WTA Finals to send Iga Swiatek packing

Ruben Amorim's to-do list at Manchester United as he looks to build morale

21+ | COMPETENT REGULATOR EEEP | RISK OF ADDICTION & LOSS OF PROPERTY | KETHEA HELPLINE: 210 9237777 | PLAY RESPONSIBLY & SAFELY |

Les jeux d’argent et de hasard peuvent être dangereux : pertes d’argent, conflits familiaux, addiction…