Tue, 30 Nov, -0001
Doha: Qatari powerhouse Al Sadd have parted ways with former Real Madrid star Raul and begun looking for a replacement ahead of their quarter-final appearance in the AFC Champions League in August.
The Spain international, who spent 16 years of his club career with Spanish giants Real Madrid, joined Al Sadd in 2012 and scored nine goals helping the club win the Qatar Stars League (QSL) in his first season.
However, Raul missed much of last season due to injury and scored only two goals in 17 appearances.
Earlier, after the club qualified for the last eight in the current edition of the AFC Champions League (ACL), Al Sadd General Secretary Jassim Al Rumaihi indicated the possibility of keeping Raul on a short-term contract.
But the official later ruled out this possibility after last week’s Annual General Assembly, gulf-times.com reported.
“Raul won’t be with us next season. We thank him for all his contributions. We will shortly organise a ceremony in his honour,” Al Rumaihi was quoted as saying by the Qatari newspaper’s website on Thursday.
He (Al Rumaihi) said the club had negotiated with Barcelona playmaker and Raul’s former Spain team-mate Xavi Hernandez, but the talks have broken down, the news piece further said.
Football Head Mohammed Ghanem Al Ali was hoping the Doha-based club would be able to find replacement soon for their ace striker before the ACL quarter-finals begin.
“We’re on the lookout for a world-class striker and hope we’ll soon be able to announce the name,” he said. “With the new striker, we hope to go all the way in the AFC Champions League.”
Al Ali also added that Hussein Amotta, the club's Moroccan head coach who guided them to the QSL title in the 2012-13 season, will stay, gulf-times.com further reported.
AFC Champions League 2011 winners Al Sadd will travel to King Fahd International Stadium in Riyadh for their quarter-final clash with Al Hilal on August 19 before hosting the Saudi club in the second leg a week later.
Photo: AFP