The start of a new football season brings optimism and hope, but it also raises new doubts and fears. Some are genuine, others not so, while in some cases they may even be totally unfounded.
As the 2016-17 Qatar Stars League was officially launched at the Sheraton Doha yesterday morning, those occupying the coaching hot seats were not immune to the above swirl of emotions. Football coaching in the Gulf, after all, is like walking the plank – a couple of slips and that could be the end of your contract.
Over the years though, coaches plying their trade in the region have adapted. even evolved. There are dozens of teams in the GCC countries and one unceremonious sacking doesn’t necessarily mean the end of the world. Like celebrity marriages where couples get their pre-nuptials done just in case the union sours later, coaches too have their termination clauses written in. Usually, the club ends up paying a hefty sum if the contract is terminated before the end of the agreed term.
Then there are coaches who have been virtual GCC nomads for several years, hopping from one club to the other and then to another, sometimes within the span of a few months. The fear of unemployment has receded, and many simply don’t care about their CVs being tarnished by a couple of sackings. Nobody said football coaching is easy, after all.
But of course there are also others for whom what matters most is their reputation – Jorge Fossati and Djamel Belmadi for example.
Former Qatar national coach Jorge Fossati turned around Al Rayyan’s fortunes last season with so much passion and enthusiasm that it has become a benchmark for others to try and emulate. You could feel the adrenalin pumping through him during matches as he jumps around sweating profusely and gesturing aggressively while shouting instructions.
Two seasons before Al Rayyan’s landmark 2015-16 triumph, the Lions had started as favourites but suffered an inexplicable meltdown and ended up being relegated.
In 2014-15, they won the second division to bounce back into the top flight, and then went on sweep away all opposition in the QSL, winning the title with several matches to spare in April this year.
Yesterday at the official launch, there was little doubt every other coach wanted to be in Fossati’s shoes. He arrived late for the press conference, much like most bosses do, and immediately tendered a profuse apology, much like good bosses do.
“I apologise for being late, I feel very bad about this,” he drawled before settling down and answering the one question that was put to all coaches – what they thought of their teams’ chances in the QSL this season.
One expected him to say he would try to do that again, but the Uruguayan was not falling for the bait.
Instead, he played safe by saying the title was anybody’s for the taking, thereby raising the confidence of some of the others seated on the stage.
“By my estimation there are at least six or seven clubs that have the quality to win the league,” Fossati who also took Al Sadd to the Asian Champions League title in 2011, said.
He added that his team’s preseason preparations have gone well and that Al Rayyan are trying to “work inside a plan.”
“We are also a big club, and we will try to work like a big club, we would like to start the league in the best way,” said Fossati whose first assignment is a match against Al Shahaniya on September 17.
Belmadi, whose Lekhwiya started off as favourites last season but ended up fourth after being overshadowed by Al Rayyan, El Jaish and Al Sadd, said his team, the four-time champions, had the capacity to snatch the title back this season.
“The main components are all there for us to challenge for the title. We have that level of performance, but even other teams have the same goal (of winning the title),” Belmadi said.
El Jaish, who finished second last season, are also optimistic but are fretting over some injuries.
“Abdulrazaq Abdulla suffered a fracture during the preparations, but otherwise we are confident,” said coach Sabri Lamouchi.
Al Sadd coach Jesaldo Ferriera believes that his side can push again for the title after missing out last season.
“Al Sadd the most successful team in Qatar we are always aiming to win the title. We played well last season but it wasn’t good enough. I always strive to win, we will have plenty of challenges but I trust in the abilities of this squad.”
Al Ahli also had a fine run of form last season as they grabbed sixth place in the league. New coach Luka Bonacic insisted that the top four is a realistic target for his players.
 “Last year this group performed well, and we have kept with the same side I believe we can make the Qatar Cup places.”
Former champions Al Gharafa will be also targeting a top four finish under Pedro Caixinha. “Our team is a big club in Qatar with a history and loyal fans; we have to try for the top four. Gharafa is fully prepared and looking forward to starting the season,” he said.
With the league being shortened to twelve sides next season, four teams will be relegated from the QSL. It will mean additional pressure for the sides that finished in the lower reaches of the table last season.
The QSL kicks off with a match between Al Ahli and Al Gharafa on September 15.