ABU DHABI // Abel Braga said success can be achieved with his players and not his reputation when the Brazilian was unveiled as the new coach for a second stint at the Mohammed bin Zayed stadium last night.
Braga, 62, who replaces Belgian Eric Gerets, led Jazira to the Arabian Gulf League and the President’s Cup double in 2011, the club’s first major titles.
“For me, what I am looking for is to do it all over again. It is not about Abel Braga but success can be achieved only with the squad we have assembled for the new season,” he said.
“A lot have changed in the last five years at Jazira as well as at other clubs. It won’t be easy but I know we have some quality players in every line, some of them whom I know and some of the new players who had got into the first team after I left.
“How we can repeat the success we had five years ago will be as a team, both with those who have been when we won the league and President’s Cup and with those new arrivals.”
Jazira retained the President’s Cup in the following season under Caio Junior, the Brazilian who arrived as caretaker but his six-month period was not extended by the club. They have not won a trophy since.
Braga said he had fantastic memories of Jazira, which was the reason for his return even though he had some other offers, which he did not want to reveal.
“I had three great years at Jazira and developed a fantastic relationship with the club management, players and the fans,” he said. “So when I was asked if I would be interested in returning to my old club, I didn’t look anywhere else.”
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Braga would not comment on the imminent signing of Peru international Jefferson Farfan from Bundesliga club Schalke.
He also did not want to talk about reports on Ali Mabkhout leaving to join Al Ittihad of Saudi Arabia.
“There are a few players the club is negotiating with and I can’t disclose anything more than that at this moment,” he said.
Farfan’s arrival is certain according to club sources while Mabkhout is set to remain at the club as he has a three-year contract.
Jazira last night also unveiled four new signings – Thiago Neves, the new Brazilian from Al Hilal of Saudi Arabia, South Korean Park Jong-woo and the Emiratis Fares Juma (Al Ain defender) and Saif Rashid (Kalba goalkeeper).
“I’m proud to wear the Jazira shirt,” Neves said. “I chose Jazira because of the good things I heard from former players Rafael Sobis, Ricardo Oliveira and many other Brazilian players. Of course, I have a good relationship with Abel Braga previously. This also helped me to join Jazira.”
Neves, who was handed the No 10 shirt previously worn by Argentine Manual Lanzini, said he has played with Neymar and Ronaldinho and was looking forward to play with Mirko Vucinic, the top scorer in the league last season, and the Emirati international Mabkhout.
apassela@thenational.ae
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