Sparky’s Column

League farewells top chief Carlo Nohra

 

Carlo Nohra will be remembered as the man who helped cement professionalism in UAE football. The evidence proving how much football advanced under his watch is indisputable. You just have to look at the increased attendances, commendations from the AFC and even this website, they are all testament to his ability to get things done. On a personal level Carlo is for want of a better phrase "a great bloke". The early days of the job were understandingly hectic but he would never fail to return a call or give you his time no matter how trivial the matter was. It was a pleasure working with Carlo and I wish him the best of luck in the future.

 

The preparations for the new season continue apace. The Club that most people, including myself, have eyes on is Al Wasl. Maradona is the obvious reason for that but the penning of a deal with IMG could prove one of the most significant moves of the close season. The global agency is almost omnipresent in sport, they oversee the English Premier League's broadcasts and locally their portfolio includes the Abu Dhabi Golf Championship. The one thing IMG know is sport and anything they are involved in is slick and professional. Al Wasl could be the next club to move down the same path as Al Jazira in promoting the Club to the expat community. If it is being overseen by IMG then expect some big things this season.

 

Whilst Al Wasl has hit the headlines off the pitch, on it a quiet revolution is taking place with the appointment Albert Benaiges, the former Technical Director of the Barcelona Football Club Academy, as Director of Al Wasl Academy. Barcelona's slick passing football that has dominated the world's game for the last few years and is the envy of every club on the planet. The secret is simple, the Club has a philosophy and they stick to it - the 4-3-3 formation is played right through the Club and players are taught the Barcelona way from an early age. If Benaiges is successful in implementing the Barcelona methods in Dubai, then in a few years time we could see Al Wasl dominate local football. He will have the advantage that all players, except for four foreign players in the first team squad, must be UAE nationals. The players produced by the Academy will always get the chance to progress to the Pro-League, so the influence of the Barca way could be felt within a season or two. It is exciting times for the Club and the future is looking bright.