New Al Arabi coach Zola reaches Doha
DOHA: New Al Arabi coach Gianfranco Zola of Italy has arrived in Doha,
the Qatar Stars League (QSL) outfit announced on Saturday.
Zola, 49, has replaced previous coach Daniel Carreno who has since
taken over as new Qatar national team coach.
Zola was greeted upon his arrival in Doha by Dr. Ahmed Al Emadi,
General Secretary of Al Arabi club. Head of football operations Ali Al
Sulaiti was also present.
The club will make an official announcement on the new appointment soon.
Zola, 49, has previously managed West Ham United between 2008-2010,
Italy’s U16 between 2011 and 2012, Watford between 2012 and 2013 and
his most recent job was at Serie A with Cagliari last season.
He is considered one of the best Italian players ever, having
represented Napoli between 1989 and 1993, Parma between 1993 and 1996,
and his most glorious period came in the blue colors of Chelsea where
he made 229 appearances and won several titles, including the UEFA Cup
Winners’ Cup, UEFA Super Cup, FA Cup and Football League Cup.
On Friday, Al Arabi signed French defender Rod Fanni from French club
Olympique de Marseille on a two-year contract starting next season.
Fanni, 33, has previously plied his trade at French clubs including
Lens, Nice and Rennes before joining Marseille in December 2010.
The new QSL season starts on September 11.