Fujairah hoping to hire Misfir as their manager

Fujairah have never lasted beyond one season in the top division, and club officials are hoping the Emirati manager can change that.

Fujairah are hoping the Emirati coach Abdullah Misfir will come on board. Courtesy Ittihad
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With Fujairah’s promotion, six of the country’s seven Emirates will have a presence in the Arabian Gulf League next season.

The Division One runners-up will be making only their fifth appearance in the top tier, the last being in 2006/07, and they are trying to woo Abdullah Misfir, who left his position at Al Dhafra following the Arabian Gulf League’s conclusion on Saturday, to become their new coach.

Fujairah have never lasted beyond one season in the top division, and club officials are hoping the Emirati manager can change that.

“We have worked really hard to make it to the professional league, but the fact is, this is only the first stage in our march towards success and accomplishments,” Sheikh Maktoum bin Hamad Al Sharqi, the chairman of the club, told reporters as the club celebrated their promotion.

“We are looking forward to the very difficult next stage, which is proving our worth in the Arabian Gulf League and we are really keen to do that.”

Fujairah will have a few familiar faces when they appear in the AGL, notably the Lebanese winger Hassan Maatouk, who is expected to continue with the team.

“I will not hide the fact that I have offers from several clubs,” Maatouk, who scored 18 goals last term, said. “But I like Fujairah and the club is close to my heart.”

arizvi@thenational.ae

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