New Al Wahda boss Javier Aguirre is under no illusions that a return to the AFC Champions League is the main target for his debut campaign.

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Aguirre, 56, signed a one-year deal in June with an option to extend, as the Clarets looked to move on from last term’s disappointing fourth-placed finish.

This failure to qualify for Asia’s premier club competition was believed to have contributed to predecessor Sami Al Jaber’s departure by mutual consent.

The new man boasts considerable pedigree, having coached his native Mexico, Atletico Madrid and Espanyol during a 20-year spell in the dugout. 

But he left his most recent post with Japan under a cloud, an ongoing match-fixing case in Spain – of which he has consistently declared his innocence – seeing the Samurai Blue’s football association pull the plug less than two weeks after January’s quarter-final Asian Cup exit to the UAE.

In a confident first press conference at Al Nahyan Stadium, the necessity of a top-three finish or President’s Cup success in 2015/16 was at the forefront of Aguirre’s thoughts.

He said: “I am happy to be in Al Wahda club. This is an opportunity for me to grow as a coach. I had the chance to be in the UAE 30 years ago and now I am coaching Al Wahda. The Arabian Gulf League is growing, even European clubs are familiar with it.

“There are many players who want to play in UAE. Each year, more players and coaches are coming here with good experience. The local players are growing as well, I suffered a big defeat with Japan against the UAE.

“We are now in the stage where we are trying to get to know players and everyone at the club. Our main goal is to reach the AFC Champions League, this is really important.”

Aguirre was brought in by Wahda after a failed pursuit of Oman supremo Paul Le Guen. The capital club endured a tumultuous 2014/15, surprisingly sacking boss Jose Peseiro in February when third in the table and critically dropping down one spot as Al Jaber struggled to replicate the Portuguese’s consistency.

“I know there were problems last season, having two coaches,” Aguirre added. “I am sure Al Wahda is a team who always plays at a high standard. The history of Al Wahda shows they are a really good club. We are preparing the team for performing better.”

A major part of these preparations has been recruitment, the Clarets making a pair of eye-catching foreign signings. Former Arsenal midfielder Denilson has been signed from Sao Paulo on a three-year contract, while maverick playmaker Jorge Valdivia is expected to complete a free transfer in the coming weeks after excelling in Chile’s Copa America triumph.

They will compliment the retained non-Emiratis of Kuwait centre-back Hussain Fadhel and Argentine hot shot Sebastian Tagliabue.

Aguirre hailed his new side’s business, believing they would prove their value in the battles ahead. He said: “I watched the Copa America final. Valdivia is one of the most important transfers we’ve made. He has a lot of experience, he will be very good for Al Wahda.

“Denilson is also a very good player. I remember playing against him when I was Atletico Madrid coach and he was an Arsenal player.”