The Peninsula
Al Rayyan have parted ways with French coach Laurent Blanc bringing in former Chilean international Nicolas Cordova as his replacement, the club said in a Tweet yesterday.
Under Blanc, who started his Qatar stint in December 2020, Al Rayyan have struggled this season and are currently 9th in the 12-team QNB Stars League.
The Frenchman guided Al Rayyan to the Amir Cup final, which they lost to Al Sadd on penalties last October but The Lions have been struggling in the ongoing season despite having Colombian James Rodriguez, Steven Nzonzi of France and Algerian Yacine Brahimi in their ranks.
The former champions have lost seven games while registering only four wins besides seven draws in a total of 17 matches they have played in the QSL so far.
Cordova, who is currently the coach of Qatar U-23 team, will serve as Al Rayyan coach only until the end of the season due to his commitment with the national side, according to a report.
He scored Chile’s equaliser when they drew 1-1 with the French side under coach Blanc in Montpellier in 2011.
NEW QSL SEASON TO START ON AUGUST 1
The Qatar Stars League yesterday announced that the QNB Stars League’s (QSL) 2022-2023 season will start on August 1, 2022.
The Qatar Stars League said the decision was made after coordination with the authorities concerned.
A total of 18 rounds have been completed in the QSL’s 2021-2022 season, with defending champions Al Sadd leading the standings.