Tue, 30 Nov, -0001
Riyadh: Al Hilal have appointed former Al Ahli Dubai manager Ivan Hasek as head coach following the dismissal of Thomas Doll.
The 2012 AFC Champions League Group A side dispensed with the services of Doll, who joined Al Hilal in July last year from Turkish side Genclerbirligi, following the Riyadh giant's 1-0 loss to Al Ahli.
Al Hilal's Round 17 defeat in Jeddah saw the former Saudi Premier League leaders slip to fourth after picking up just seven points from their last six matches.
Hasek is no stranger to Middle Eastern football having coached UAE sides Al Wasl and Al Ahli, who he coached during the Dubai side's 2009 AFC Champions League campaign which featured a 2-1 loss to Al Hilal in Riyadh.
The 45-year-old also had a spell coaching in Japan, taking helm of Vissel Kobe in 2004 prior to his move to the UAE.
The former Czech Republic national team manager is expected to begin his tenure at Al Hilal in February with Doll's assistant coach Heiko Bonon and team manager Sami Al Jaber taking temporary charge until Hasek's arrival.
Al Hilal open their 2012 AFC Champions League campaign on March 7 when they host Tehran giants Piroozi.