Repetto was confirmed as the Sky Blues’ new coach on Thursday following his Independiente del Valle side’s 2-1 aggregate loss to Colombia’s Atletico Nacional in the final of South America’s prestigious Copa Libertadores competition.

Repetto was expected to arrive in the UAE yesterday and could make compatriot Rodriguez his first signing, with Marca Uruguay claiming the 24-year-old winger is close to finalising a move to the Emirates.

The Montevideo Wanderers forward netted an impressive 19 goals in 27 Primera Division games last season and has scored 45 times in total during five seasons with the Los Negriazules.

The arrival of Repetto, 42, brings an end to a managerial saga which has plagued Bani Yas for the last six weeks since they parted ways with former UAE Under-23 coach, Dr Abdullah Misfer.

It is understood Repetto has signed a two-year deal with the option of a third. Although defeat to Nacional means Ecuador’s Independiente miss out on qualification to December’s FIFA Club World Cup, the giant-killing nature of their run to the final will encourage the Sky Blues’ hierarchy.

Independiente overcame Argentine giants River Plate and Boca Juniors en-route to the final and confirmed a best ever performance in the Libertadores.

After a promising start last season, the Sky Blues limped to a ninth place finish in the Arabian Gulf League. Spanish coach Luis Garcia was sacked before the end of the campaign, with Misfer taking the reins for the remaining few games.

Bani Yas announced on Thursday that Repetto will arrive in time to take charge of the team’s pre-season tour to the Netherlands from August 1-22.

“The new coach made outstanding results this season after wins against Boca Juniors and River Plate in the Copa Libertadores but he lost in the final match against Atletico Nacional,” said a club statement on its website.

Bani Yas previously held negotiations with former Argentine international and Paraguay coach Ramon Diza, as well as ex-Colombia and Ecuador coach Reinaldo Rueda. The club also confirmed the capture of Al Nasr defender Ali Al Ameri, 27, on Thursday.