+ A
A -
Ikoli Victor
DOHA
Jorge Fossati has been officially appointed as Qatar's new head coach following the dismissal of his Uruguayan countryman Jose Carreno on Friday. The appointment was announced on the official Twitter account of the Qatar Football Association on Saturday.
"Mr. Jorge Fossati is back officially to be the head coach of our National Team," says the QFA English Twitter handle.
Fossati's main task is to revive Qatar's 2018 World Cup hopes with two crunch away fixtures in October and November. Qatar is currently placed last in its group and has to finish among the top two to be assured of making it to the World Cup in Russia. The appointment of Fossati means the Al Anabi is in dire need of a result in the tough qualifier against South Korea on October 6, which will be the new coach's first game as in charge.
It is unclear though of what the terms of contract he would be offered by the football authorities. If it is for a long term then his position at Al Rayyan would be declared vacant or he might just be on a rescue mission keeping his job at Rayyan. According to an official of the soccer body, Fossati will be officially presented at a press conference in the coming days following his meeting with the top hierarchy of the Qatar Football Association.
Fossati, 63, joined Al Rayyan in 2015 and led the team to their first Qatar Stars League title in 21 years. The Uruguayan had previously worked with the Al Anabi from August 2007 to September 2008.
On Friday, Fossati said he was willing to help Qatar try and get to the World Cup finals.
"Nobody has offered me anything officially, but Qatar is a special country for me and I will help if I can," he said.
Fossati began his managerial career in 1993 with River Plate Montevideo. He had stints with Penarol, Danubio, LD Quito, until he became manager of the Uruguay National team in 2004. He joined Al Sadd in Qatar and after winning all four domestic titles with them, was unveiled as the new Qatari national team manager in 2007. In late 2008, the QFA ended Fossati's contract after it was reported he needed long time to recover from surgery. Fossati also had brief stint with Saudi giants Al Shabab. He returned to Al Sadd in 2010 and guided the Wolves to AFC Champions League success in 2011.
Carreno was in charge for 17 games for Qatar, won 11 and lost six matches.
His last two defeats to Uzbekistan at home (1-0) and (2-0) away to Iran in Group A of the AFC 2018 World Cup qualifier culminated in his sack.
He had qualified Qatar for the 2019 Asian Cup to be hosted by United Arab Emirates in 2019, after the team topped their group and won seven of their eight games.
The 63-year is reportedly been courted by Saudi club Al Hilal, who fired coach Gustavo Matosas on Friday.
JORGE FACT FILE
Full Name: Jorge Daniel Fossati Lurachi
Born: 22 November 1952 (age 63)
Playing Position: Goalkeeper
National Team: Uruguay
1975–1985
Current Team: Al Rayyan (Manager)
Teams Managed
1993–1995: River Plate Montevideo
1996: Penarol
1997: Cerro Porteno
1998–2001: Danubio
2001–2002: Colon
de Santa Fe
2002–2003: Danubio
2003–2004: LDU Quito
2004–2006: Uruguay
2006–2007: Al-Sadd
2007–2008: Qatar
2009: LDU Quito
2009–2010: Internacional
2010: Al Shabab
2010–2012: Al Sadd
2012–2013: Cerro Porteno
2013: Al Ain
2014–2015: Penarol
2015–2016: Al Rayyan
2016- Qatar
