Pizzi named new Bahrain coach

TDT | Manama              

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com

Bahrain has named Argentinian tactician Juan Antonio Pizzi as the new head coach of the Kingdom’s senior men’s national football team.

This was announced yesterday by the Bahrain Football Association (BFA) in a statement issued by BFA secretary general Rashid Al Zoubi.

Al Zoubi said that the BFA’s executive management, under the guidance of BFA president Shaikh Ali bin Khalifa bin Ahmed Al Khalifa and BFA vice-president His Highness Shaikh Khalifa bin Ali bin Isa Al Khalifa, prepared the contract with the Argentinian coach as per the terms agreed upon.

Al Zoubi added that Pizzi will arrive in Bahrain later this month to officially sign his deal and to work on all arrangements necessary for the national team’s preparations in the coming period.

Al Zoubi noted that the rest of the squad’s coaching staff, who will be working under Pizzi, will be selected based on his recommendations. Al Zoubi expressed his best wishes to Pizzi for success in his upcoming mission with the national team.

The BFA began its discussion with Pizzi after talks broke down with his countryman Ricardo Gareca, who was the first choice to be the replacement of departed Portuguese coach Helio Sousa.

Negotiations were in the advanced stages with Gareca, but he eventually turned down the BFA’s offer. The BFA then turned its focus to Pizzi. The 55-year-old is a former player, born in Argentina but represented Spain at the international level.

He began his coaching career in 2005. Prior to joining Bahrain, Pizzi was the manager of UAE Pro League club Al Wasl. He was also in charge of the national teams of Chile and Saudi Arabia in the past, during which he guided the Chileans to the final of the 2017 FIFA Confederations Cup.

During his stint with Saudi, he was in charge of the team at the 2018 FIFA World Cup and the 2019 AFC Asian Cup. The BFA had also announced that the board of directors has approved the appointment of Rashid Al Zayani as the new national team manager.

He will be assisted by Adel Al Saadoun and Yahya Buallay as administrators. Pizzi will have big shoes to fill in Bahrain, with Sousa being one of the most successful head coaches in the history of the national football team.

The highlight of Sousa’s four-year stint with the senior squad was their victory in the 24th Gulf Cup in 2019—the first time Bahrain ever claimed the coveted trophy, ending a wait of nearly 50 years. Sousa’s contract with Bahrain ended in June and was not renewed by the BFA.