Former PSG coach Paul Le Guen snubs Al Wahda and will remain with Oman national team

Al Wahda will have to look elsewhere for a new coach after Le Guen opted to remain in charge of the Oman national team, with the Frenchman reportedly unhappy news of his talks were leaked, reports Amith Passela.

Oman coach Paul Le Guen led his team to a 2018 World Cup qualifier win in India last week and then broke off talks with Al Wahda to become their new coach. AP Photo/Hassan Ammar
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Al Wahda will have to look elsewhere for a new coach after Paul Le Guen opted to remain in charge of the Oman national team, with the Frenchman reportedly unhappy news of his talks with the Abu Dhabi club were leaked before an important World Cup qualifier.

Staying at Oman

Le Guen has said he will continue in his role with Oman, a post he has occupied since June 2011, after abandoning his talks with the Al Wahda about filling the role vacated last month by Suadi Sami Al Jaber.

Unhappy ahead of qualifier

According to aWahda official, the 51-year-old Frenchman was unhappy news was leaked of his negotiations with the Arabian Gulf League club ahead of Oman’s World Cup Group D qualifier against India last Thursday.

Rumours denied

The Oman Football Association (OFA) issued a statement days after reports first appeared in the media denying that the former Lyon, Rangers and Paris Saint-Germain coach had agreed a one-year contract to take over at Al Nahyan Stadium. “OFA denies the rumour about Paul Le Guen signing for a club in the Gulf. Le Guen continues his duties as the head coach of Oman national team,” said the statement.

Off to winning start

Le Guen guided Oman to the Asian Cup earlier this year although they failed to make it beyond the group stage in Australia. They beat India 2-1 away at the Kanteerava Stadium in Bangalore last week to get their 2018 World Cup qualifying campaign off to a winning start but their next fixture is not until September 3 when they host Turkmenistan.

apassela@thenational.ae

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