Tue, 30 Nov, -0001
Riyadh: The AFC Champions League 2013 Group D contenders Al Hilal sacked French coach Antoine Kombouaré and replaced him with the club’s U-23 coach Dalach Zlatko with immediate effect.
The high-profile former Paris Saint Germain coach was appointed in June but could only survive at the helm of the Riyadh-based club for less than eight months despite currently occupying the second position behind leaders Al Fateh in the Saudi Pro League.
“The coach and the management had a meeting to discuss about the team’s situation and his convictions about the progress of the club did not contribute the team’s satisfactory levels and achieve the aspirations of Al Hilal fans,” said a media release issued by the club in its official website.
“We praise his efforts and cooperation during his stint at the club and we wish Kambouare for his better future,” the press release stated. The press release also revealed the appointment of Zlatko as the head coach of the club.
Before joining the 13-time Saudi League champions in June, Kombouaré was without a job after Paris Saint Germain’s mega rich Qatari owners sacked him in November 2011 in favour of former AC Milan boss Carlo Ancelotti despite PSG leading the French League at that time.
Al Hilal finished third in the Saudi Pro League 2011-12 prompting the management to appoint him. They were ousted by eventual champions Ulsan Hyundai in the quarter-finals of the ACL 2012 with 5-0 aggregate score which also featured a home 4-0 thrashing by the Koreans.
Zlatko’s first continental charges will be the away match against current UAE Pro League leaders Al Ain on 27 February. They also have Tehran giants Esteghlal and Al Rayyan of Qatar in a strong Group D.