Michael Laudrup is set to return to football management by taking charge of Qatar league champions Al Rayyan, the club’s board announced on Monday.
Former Barcelona and Real Madrid star Laudrup will replace Jorge Fossati, who was appointed as coach of Qatar's national team over the weekend.
“The board of Al Rayyan football club have reached an agreement with Denmark’s Michael Laudrup to be the manager of the club,” read a statement on the club’s website.
“It is expected that Laudrup will arrive in Doha within the next few hours to officially sign the contract.”
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Laudrup, previously the coach at Premier League side Swansea City, beat off competition from former Tottenham Hotspur manager Christian Gross, according to another statement on the club's website posted earlier in the day.
It will be the 52-year-old Dane’s first return to management since surprisingly leaving fellow Qatar Stars League (QSL) side Lekhwiya last year after he coached them to the 2015 title.
Al Rayyan coasted to the title under Fossati last season, winning their first championship in over 20 years, and finished 14 points clear of nearest rivals El Jaish.
Currently they lie fourth in the table but only two games of the new season have been played.
Lekhwiya are top with a 100 per cent record.
Fossati will be officially unveiled as the national coach at a press conference on Tuesday.
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