‘Right now, we’ve no plans to change any foreign player’

‘We’re upbeat about finishing in the top four’

‘Captain Meshaal Abdullah is ready for training’

‘We hope Muntari will continue with us’

QNB Stars League side Al Ahli’s Team Manager Fahad Ali expressed confidence that new coach George Jorge would manage the side efficiently in the remaining part of the season.

Jorge, who had been managing Al Ahli’s youth team, was promoted after senior side’s coach Joaquin Caparros quit because of his wife’s illness. Caparros, who had gone to his native Spain on vacation, had tendered his resignation over telephone and apologised to the club management.

And the club management, under the presidency of Sheikh Ahmed bin Hamad Al Thani, accepted his apologies.

“We’re counting on Jorge, our former youth team manager, to continue the good work. We had no other way than accepting the resignation of Caparros as we understood the gravity of situation,” Fahad told QSL Online in an exclusive interview.

“We didn’t have time either as the QNB Stars League’s second phase is fast approaching. We’ve full confidence in him. We’re upbeat about finishing in the top four provided we get some good results,” he said.

He pointed out that Jorge was no stranger to Al Ahli.

“He led the team at the end of last season in the Qatar Cup. He doesn’t need time to get acclimatised as he was doing a consistent job with the youth side,” said Fahad.

Jorge’s name came up prominently when the team management held its emergency meeting in the wake of Caparros’ resignation. He will return to Doha on 4th January and take over the reins as they gear up for the second phase of QNB Stars League.

Al Ahli will host Al Gharafa in the 12th round on 12th January. The Brigadiers are sixth in the table with 14 points and have registered four victories so far.

“Jorge is an efficient coach. He’s capable of taking the team further up. He has good technical skills.

“Everyone at the club are confident of a good performance in the second phase. Out former player Younis Ali will be assisting him in his duties. the difference between us and fourth-placed Al Sailiya is only five points.

“Right now, we’ve no plans to change any foreign player. Our Qatari recruits are also doing well,” he added.

Asked whether Mohammed Muntari would continue with Al Ahli until the end of the season as he is on loan from Al Duhail for the winter transfer period, Fahad said, “We hope Muntari will continue with us. He’s one of the strikers who made a difference with The Brigadiers. And captain Meshaal Abdullah is ready for training ahead of the second phase,” he concluded.

The team manager revealed that Al Ahli would play a friendly with German Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich, during their training camp in Doha, on 6th January.