Sparky’s Column

Summer Sales

 

The countdown is on as the dates for the new season have been announced. The now traditional season curtain raiser the Super Cup will be on the 15th September closely followed by the first round of the Etisalat Cup on the 18th. The season itself will kick off on September the 23rd. That by my reckoning means only 81 more sleeps until the start of the Pro League.

 

The action is all off the pitch at the moment as clubs plot for next season.  Hassan Maatouk has signed a one year deal with Emirates Club which may be in the top division depending on the play offs. The Lebanese striker has been lethal in his own country and impressed enough in the UAE to attract interest across Europe. The signing by Emirates club is somewhat of a coup and if they make it to the ranks of the Pro League this season then expect goals.  

 

The coaches merry-go-round is in full effect with Al Sabab moving quickly to replace Paulo Bonamigo. They have gone for a man with experience of the club, all be it over 20 years ago. Marcos Paqueta leaves his post as Libya boss for a quieter life in Dubai. He has had great success with the Brazilian underage squads and he will be hoping to pass on that experience to some of Shabab's younger players.

 

Dubai Club who have had a large turnover of coaches in the past few years and  they continue the trend  appointing Rene Marsiglia. He spent last season in Europe, League 1 to be exact with Southern French side Nice.

 

Quique Sanchez Flores has  been secured by Al Ahli for another season. The coaches agent says he was keen to remain in the UAE, despite three offers in Europe. I am always wary when agents say there are other offers on the table because it's a great way of increasing bargaining power. The story goes to the media and the idea is the coaches value increases in the same way it does with all supply and demand transactions. In this case Flores has been as good as his word and will spend  next season at Al Ahli.

 

The new board at Al Wasl have moved quickly to secure the signature of Mariano Donda. The diminutive Argentinian was one of the best performing overseas players last season and it is a wise move to secure his services until 2014.