Frenchman Laurent Banide has agreed to coach Umm Salal in the coming season. This was revealed by the club’s vice-president and Football Head Sheikh Tamim bin Mohammed Al Thani in an exclusive interview with QSL Online.

Banide is expected to reach Doha soon and take charge of Umm Salal, who finished fifth in the QNB Stars League.

“We chose Banide because we found him as the best person to coach our side in the next season. Moreover, he is no stranger to Umm Salal with whom he won the Emir’s Cup. We’re counting a lot on him in the coming season,” said Sheikh Tamim, adding the club was not happy with their performance in the QNB Stars League this time.

Umm Salal lost out to Al Gharafa in the race to finish fourth and thereby qualify for the Qatar Cup.

The official thanked former coach Talal El Karkouri for his services and wished him success in his future endeavours.

El Karkouri was appointed in place of Egyptian Mahmoud Jaber following Umm Salal’s goalless draw with Al Arabi in Week 15 of the 2017-18 QNB Stars League on 2nd February. The former Morocco defender was familiar with Qatar football, having played for Qatar SC and Umm Salal.

Sheikh Tamim pointed out that Banide had achieved remarkable success with many clubs even though he did not have a great time with Al Khor.

Al Khor had started the season under Banide before Tunisian Nassif Al Bayawi, the new coach of Al Kharaitiyat, took over the reins following a series of negative results.

Sheikh Tamim spoke about Umm Salal’s preparations for the new season.

“The team’s pre-season camp will be in Slovenia (9th to 24th July), where we’ll play four friendly matches. We’ll finalise recruitment of new players in co-ordination with technical staff.

“Three of our foreign professional players (Ivorian Yannick Sagbo, Syrian Mahmoud Mawas and Moroccan Adel Rhaili) will continue. However, we’ll find a new player to replace Tunisian Oussama Darragi,” said Sheikh Tamim, who concluded the interview by congratulating Al Duhail and Al Sadd for qualifying for the AFC Champions League quarterfinals.