Eric Gerets has cast doubt on his future as Al Jazira boss, stating on Friday he is “now free” to return to Belgium.

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Gerets, 60, officially remains in charge despite comments to media in his homeland, but it is understood Jazira have already agreed a three-year contract to make club legend Abel Braga his replacement.

An announcement is likely to follow after chairman His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan sits with the board of directors next week.

Gerets appeared resigned to his fate when he spoke to Belgian newspaper Het Laatste Nieuws in the aftermath of Thursday’s shock 3-2 President’s Cup round-of-16 loss to Ajman, which brought a premature finish to a poor campaign.

He said: “I am now free to live life the way I want and return to Belgium.”

The 62-year-old Braga – long linked with the post – will arrive in mid-July on a deal worth €5 million (Dh21m) per annum, re-commencing work at a side with whom he lifted the Arabian Gulf League and President’s Cup double in 2010/11.

Gerets signed a two-year contract last summer when he joined following a trophy-laden spell at Qatar’s Lekhwiya. 

But he has not been able to replicate this success in the UAE, becoming the sixth coach to exit volatile Jazira in four seasons.

Their President’s Cup elimination was preceded by second place in the Arabian Gulf League, a ruinous 2015 AFC Champions League play-off defeat to Uzbekistan’s Bunyodkor and a group-stage Arabian Gulf Cup exit.

A club spokesman said yesterday: “Al Jazira have won no titles this season, and this is not normal for the club.

“Next week, the board of directors will meet with Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan to discuss this season’s failures and the way forward.

“They will also discuss the registration of the local and foreign players ahead of the 2015/16 season.

“Mr Gerets remains the coach, pending any decisions made in next week’s meeting.”

Braga previously worked at Jazira from 2008-11, the club reluctantly seeing him leave for Fluminense four years ago.

The former Brazil and Paris Saint-Germain centre-back has been available since he announced his exit from latest club Internacional last December.