Al Wahda's new coach Reghecampf eyes AGL crown

Abu Dhabi - Romanian takes over from Mexican Javier Aguirre at the Al Nahyan Stadium for new season

Al Wahda will enter the new season with coach Laurentiu Reghecampf in the saddle and the Romanian is eyeing nothing short of Arabian Gulf League crown.

Mexican coach Javier Aguirre had left Al Nahyan Stadium after bagging the President's Cup and Reghecampf sees a very challenging season ahead of him. The Romanian had a meeting with club chairman Ahmed Al Rumaithi and seems to have got the Clarets' wish list for the season.

"We want to win the league. There are lot of teams with amazing organisations, good players and coaches, and that is why this is a big challenge for me," Reghecampf said during a press conference on Wednesday.

The coach, however, sees a good chance to bag a trophy.

"It is a big challenge to win a trophy. I have received lot of information about the team and players. I am happy to join a very strong club and organisation. People here want to do everything good for the team. I hope together we are going to have a big chance this year," the 41-year-old coach said.

Al Wahda finished fifth in the league last year and the new coach said there's no easy way to the top but the team will work together for better results.

Al Wahda have some very good players in Balazs Dzsudzsak, Sebastian Tagliabue and new striker Mourad Batna.

"We have a strong team. With these three players together, this year, the team has got good chance to win something," Reghecampf said.

Reghecampf has experience of playing in Romanian Liga 1, Austrian Bundesliga, Bulgarian League and German Bundesliga between 1993 and 2009. He has managed a couple of top tier Romanian League teams like Steaua Bucharest and won the Romanian League twice in 2012-13 and 2013-14 seasons, the Romanian Supercup in 2013 and the League Cup in 2015-16. He was also named 2013 Romania Coach of the Year. And he has experience of playing the region after managing Saudi side Al Hilal.

Reghecampf said despite all his experience, every new assignment throws a challenge at him.

"Everywhere is a new challenge. Football is a team sport and not about one player or coach. My work is to lead a very strong team. My challenge is to win the Championship. I hope with my experience and knowledge, I can help the team win the championship."

Reghecampf was sacked by Al Hilal even after he took them to the final of the AFC Champions League.

"The job of a manager is never easy. You always work under pressure. If you want to have success, you need to work under pressure. Pressure is not a problem for me," he said.

The Romanian has fond memories of Saudi Arabian assignment and hopes the experience will help him in his new job.

"I liked my time in Saudi Arabia. I had big moment with Al Hilal," he said.

His first assignment will be as soon as July 22 when Al Wahda will represent the UAE in a tournament of Arab nations.

"It's too early to prepare the team for the tournament. We are going to use this as a preparation for the season. We will give chance to young players, who haven't had much action last year," the new coach added.

Dr Jamal Al Hosni, a member of board of directors, said the club will provide Reghecampf a healthy independent environment to excel. "Reghecampf considers himself as an attack-minded coach and places big emphasis on winning by playing entertaining football," Al Hosni said.

Reghecamp takes charge of the club under heavy expectations and has a year in hand to prove his worth.

ashwani@khaleejtimes.com