• Home
• /
• Local Sports

Chovanec appointed Bani Yas Club coach

Jozef Chovanec has vowed to achieve the ambitions of Bani Yas club and steer them towards silverware. The Czech was officially unveiled as the Bani Yas club coach at the Bani Yas Stadium.

Chovanec takes over after the departure of Argentine Gabriel Calderon. Chovanec has been handed a one-year contract with an option to renew. The club did not disclose the amount they paid to sign Chovanec. Chovanec joins after four spells with Sparta Prague.

“Bani Yas are a very strong club and they have all the elements to make an excellent team. Things did not go too well last season because of various factors but I will try my best to achieve the ambitions of the club,” Chovanec said. A Bani Yas official hoped that they can compete for titles next season.

“The hiring of Chovanec is a good step towards reaching the goals of the club. We hope that he can help us get good results and win silverware. We have some very good players and I hope we can win the League next season,” the official said. Another official said that Chovanec’s lack of experience in the Middle East won’t be a factor. “He is an important addition to Bani Yas.

The club management have got a good coach in Chovanec. I don’t think his lack of experience in the Middle East should be a source of concern. He has a lot of experience at the international level and that will help Bani Yas,” he said.

Chovanec played for the then Czechoslovakia in the 1990 World Cup. He made 52 appearances for his country and scored four goals. The 52-year-old had three spells as a player with Sparta Prague. He also played for RH Cheb and Dutch club PSV Eindhoven.

Chovanec also coached the Czech Republic from 1998 to 2001 and helped them qualify for Euro 2000. Bani Yas finished ninth in the UAE Pro-League last season went out in the pre-quarterfinals of the AFC Champions League.