Al Nasr have sacked coach Ivan Jovanovic for a second time after a mixed start to the 2018/19 Arabian Gulf League and promoted title-winning former Brazil Under-17 coach Caio Zanardi to be his replacement.
Jovanovic, 56, was brought back to the Blue Wave last January as replacement for ex-Italy tactician Cesare Prandelli. This followed a triumphant previous spell in charge from June 2013-October 2016 that included the end of a 25-year trophy drought with the 2014 GCC Club Cup, plus an Arabian Gulf Cup and President’s Cup-double a season later.
Results have not matched the previous standard, despite the summer recruitment of ex-France midfielder Yohan Cabaye and former Spain striker Alvaro Negredo. Their first four top-flight matches in 2018/19 ended in defeat, while Friday’s terminal 1-0 reversal at Shabab Al Ahli Dubai Club left the big-spending club 10th.
Zanardi, 45, has now been moved up from technical director – a position he has held there in two periods. His previous jobs include winning the 2013 Toulon Tournament with a Brazil U-17 squad that featured now Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson.
“I extend my sincere thanks and appreciation to Ivan Jovanovic,” said Nasr president Abdulrahman Obaid. “I also extend my best wishes to Caio Zanardi, the new coach of our first team.
“To all lovers and fans of the club, we will soon return to our natural position among the top clubs.”
Zanardi held his first training session on Sunday, ahead of promoted side Fujairah’s visit to Dubai on Tuesday in the AGL.