Ambitious Bani Yas hire Schafer as coach

Bani Yas hope that Winfried Schafer can replicate the success he had with Al Ain and Al Ahli (now rebranded Shabab Al Ahli) with the Abu Dhabi club.

The decorated German tactician, who has spent close to four decades in football management, took over as coach of the Sky Blues.

And the club from Al Shamkha feel that the grey-haired 69-year-old can repeat what he did with Al Ain and Al Ahli.

Schafer, who guided Cameroon to the African Cup of Nations in 2002 and also saw them finish runners-up in the Fifa Confederations Cup in 2003, won four titles with both the UAE clubs.

Schafer, who cut his teeth with Bundesliga club Borussia Monchengladbach as a player and a talent scout, led Al Ahli to the UAE Football League (now rebranded the Arabian Gulf League) in 2006.

His two seasons with Al Ain were the most productive where he completed a treble, winning the UAE Super Cup, Etisalat Emirates Cup and the President's Cup in 2009.

Schafer also went on to manage Thailand, Jamaica and Iranian club Esteghlal.

He takes over from Croatian Krunoslav Jurcic, whose one-year contract ended in June. Jurcic, 49, guided the Sky Blues to sixth in the Arabian Gulf League last season after they returned to the UAE top flight following a season in the First Division.

"We announce that we have contracted with German coach Winfried Schafer," the club said on Wednesday.

"We are confident that the future will be bright and full of achievements," they added.

james@khaleejtimes.com