Latest news with #Ammouta
Arab News
01-05-2025
- Sport
- Arab News
Hussein Ammouta U-turn leaves Iraq still without a coach as big games loom
AMSTERDAM: No coaching carousel spins faster than those in West Asia. Since World Cup qualification began in October 2023 all 12 Arab nations in the Asian Football Confederation have changed managers. The latest tactician to be given his marching orders was Jesus Casas who recently left the Iraq post after two years and five months at the helm. It was widely tipped that the Iraq Football Association would bring in a big name to replace Casas and lead the team to the World Cup finals for the first time since 1986. A leading candidate quickly emerged — Al-Jazira manager Hussein Ammouta who earned plaudits by leading Jordan to the 2023 Asian Cup final. The Moroccan has strong links to the country's top brass. The IFA's President Adnan Dirjal coached Ammouta at Al-Sadd in the late 1990s. And when Ammouta became manager of the club a decade-and-a-half later he recruited the IFA's Vice President Younis Mahmoud to lead the line for the Qatari powerhouse. Everything was set to unveil the 55-year-old this week, according to the Iraqi media and Twitterati. Then it was off, leaving the Lions of Mesopotamia without a manager with less than five weeks before their next World Cup qualifier. Addressing the media in the aftermath, Mahmoud said there were seven candidates, amongst them three foreigners. He was coy about the details and played up the virtues of having an Iraqi in the role. 'We are still in negotiations and we will announce in the coming days. It could be Ammouta. I don't know anything about what has been said, I leave these details to (president) Adnan (Dirjal) as he is a former manager and knows more than me.' It was not supposed to be like this for Iraq. A new board at the IFA led by Dirjal had wanted to put in place a process and foster stability. They had turned to former Spain assistant Casas to overhaul the team. In spite of his early departure, Casas has the third-longest tenure as Iraqi manager, with only Ammo Baba and Srecko Katenac lasting longer. This indicates why this football-mad nation has underachieved since lifting the 2007 AFC Asian Cup title. Early success brought the Andalucian time. Winning the Gulf Cup on home soil and ending a 35-year drought won the fans over. A year later, when Iraq was eliminated at the hands of Jordan at the 2023 AFC Asian Cup, Casas was spared criticism due to the controversial decision by referee Alireza Faghani to send off Aymen Hussein in the final quarter of the match. The Spaniard also won plaudits due to the team's expansive style which generated a famous win against Japan at the tournament. Ten goals in four games at the continental showpiece papered over the fact that The Lions of Mesopotamia did not keep a single clean sheet and conceded an average of two goals a game. That lack of control precipitated a change of thinking on the bench. Casas' Iraq reemerged in qualification intent to assert control even if it meant boring supporters to death. It was effective. Iraq kept a clean sheet in eight of the 10 World Cup qualifiers contested in 2024. They breezed into round three, collecting 16 of 18 points on offer in a group comprising Indonesia, Vietnam and the Philippines. When round three started, the results kept coming in the form of binary scorelines, with only a 3-2 loss away to Korea Republic breaking up the string of 0-0 draws, and 1-0 wins against Kuwait, Jordan, Oman and Palestine. Iraq sat in sole possession of second place, and an automatic World Cup berth, at the conclusion of Matchday Six in November. That is when Iraq's momentum came to a screeching halt. A pitiful defense of their Gulf Cup title in December was a harbinger of things to come. Team selections became ever more unpredictable, as if Casas was trying to address critics vis-a-vis his lineups. In goal, sometimes Ahmed Bassil would start and others would be excluded from the squad altogether. Equally bizarre was the chopping and changing of center-backs and midfielders. Ahmed Yasin and Saad Abdulameer returned from extended international exile to captain the side against Oman and Jordan only to be dropped once again. In defense, Rebin Sulaka has started with seven different center-backs in the space of 12 months. In a desperate attempt to solve the riddle of who should anchor his defense and pull the strings in attack, Casas changed his formation in what would prove to be his last match at the helm. Hussein's 34th minute goal gave Iraq a lead and a switch to a 3-4-3 seemed to be vindicated. Iraq's defensive frailty however could not be masked like it was in the three other 1-0 wins they had registered in round three. Palestine pushed and when the equalizer came in the 88th minute so did a mental collapse similar to the one suffered at the hands of Jordan in the Asian Cup Round of 16 encounter. Following the 2-1 loss, Casas blamed the defeat on a 'lack of character' and an inability to see out a result. Whether or not a coaching change will remedy those problems for Iraq is very much an open question. Casas might have a point about the mental aspect of Iraq's game. The players, administrators, and media have been engaged in a battle against a perceived conspiracy against them. Hussein's first words to the media following the loss to Palestine were used to complain about Amman as a neutral venue and the number of fans in the stands. Perhaps the favorite tag proved too much for the team and a full embrace of the underdog role while eschewing victimhood is needed. Iraq can draw on the 2007 Asian Cup win for inspiration when a team led by an interim coach shocked the world.
Iraqi News
30-04-2025
- Sport
- Iraqi News
Iraqi FA confirms negotiations with Hussein Ammouta for national team coach role
Baghdad ( – The Iraqi Football Association (IFA) confirmed on Tuesday, April 29th, 2025, that it is actively negotiating with Moroccan coach Hussein Ammouta to take charge of the vacant national team head coach position. The role has been empty since the departure of Jesús Casas earlier this year. IFA member Mohammed Nasser stated at a press conference that talks with Ammouta are the current focus. 'The federation is currently negotiating with Ammouta and awaits his decision,' Nasser said, adding that a final agreement could be reached within hours, but a 'Plan B' involving another coach is ready if needed. Nasser highlighted Ammouta's valuable experience with Asian national teams, particularly his recent success leading Jordan to the 2023 Asian Cup final, as key reasons for his selection. Addressing recent media speculation, Nasser firmly denied any negotiations with other rumored candidates like former Iraq coach Adnan Hamad or Djamel Belmadi. He affirmed that talks have solely been with Ammouta at this stage. The potential appointment comes as Iraq looks to establish new leadership for the Lions of Mesopotamia.
Al Etihad
20-04-2025
- Sport
- Al Etihad
Al Jazira bask in glory of much-needed silverware with ADIB Cup title win
Kuumar Shyam (Abu Dhabi) Al Jazira have added a morale-boosting ADIB Cup to their silverware cupboard after a tro-hy drought over the past few seasons. They played out of character and beat strong favourites Shabab Al Ahli 2-1 at the Hazza bin Zayed Stadium in Al Ain on Saturday. Having appointed former Jordan coach Hussein Ammouta at the start of the season after Al Jazira finished eighth in the ADNOC Pro League, the 2021 champions are currently better off in sixth with five matches to go. Shabab Al Ahli are runaway leaders in the league while also contesting for the President's Cup final on May 9 where they will meet Sharjah, the conquerors of Al Jazira, in the semi-final. Meanwhile, the plaudits have been pouring in and leading the way is Sheikh Hamdan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Chairman of the UAE Football Association, who congratulated His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of the Presidential Court, and Chairman of Al Jazira Club, and His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Ruler's Representative in Al Dhafra Region and Honorary President of Al Jazira Club. He also praised the efforts of the technical staff, the performance of the players and the support of the fans. Wishing the team more success in the near future, the UAEFA chairman emphasised that Al Jazira have been an important contributor of talented players to the national team, and that its success enhances the strength of Emirati football at home and in international tournaments. The League Cup title, sponsored for a third year by Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank, was won even with Al Jazira missing key players, which has raised the stock of manager Ammouta, so much so that there are talks of the Iraqi national team approaching the Moroccan to take over. Al Jazira released a statement on Saturday to dismiss the 'rumours'. 'The ADIB Cup was the only title we could win this season and I'm very glad we did it,' Ammouta said. 'It was a great effort from my players. We created the first scoring chance on 12 minutes and scored off the second opportunity. We focused on the important things on the pitch and, above all, the players never gave up on their bid to win this title.' Incidentally, with this victory, Al Jazira have avenged the loss by the same margin when they met Shabab Al Ahli in the final of the same competition in the 2013-2014 season. 'We haven't had success since last winning the Pro League [in 2021] and we celebrate now with the players as well as the management. Of course, it's a joyous moment and hopefully we'll now look at improving our position in the Pro League table,' the Morrocan told Telecom Asia Sport. This ADIB Cup final marked the sixth final between Shabab Al Ahli and Al Jazira in various competitions. In the head to head, Shabab Al Ahli have won 3, while Al Jazira won 2. Al Jazira have now a 50% win-loss record in the finals of the tournament's history. Al Jazira had lost the League Cup title after reaching the final match twice, the first time against Ajman (1-2) in the 2012-2013 season, and again to Shabab Al Ahli the season after that. Al Jazira beat Al Ain in the quarter-finals on penalties (4-2), then Al Jazira overcame Al Wasl in the semi-finals, after losing the first leg by one goal to none, and took the second leg (3-1). 'We entered the match with many influential absences,' Ammouta said, 'but my confidence in the players was great and they were up to expectations. They executed the requirements precisely. We knew the strength of Shabab Al Ahli and worked on them until we achieved victory and won the precious title.' Kebano, who scored the match-winner in the 55th minute, said: 'I am very happy with my first title with Al Jazira. It is a great achievement and a crowning achievement for the players' efforts.'
The National
20-04-2025
- Sport
- The National
'We gave everything': Al Jazira stun UAE Pro League leaders Shabab Al Ahli to lift ADIB Cup
Struggling in mid table and 21 points behind the runaway Pro League leaders Shabab Al Ahli, Al Jazira came up trumps in the ADIB League Cup at the Hazza Bin Zayed Stadium on Saturday. Abdalla Ramadan put them ahead on 18 minutes. Sardar Azmoun equalised five minutes into the second half but it took just another five minutes for Frenchman Neeskens Kebano to regain the lead for their first silverware since winning the Pro League in 2021. It was also the second time Jazira had won the competition after success in the 2009-2010 season. 'We are going through a very tough season and to win a trophy against a side who are leading the Pro League race and won the cup five times already was a great effort,' said Jazira manager Hussein Ammouta, the former Jordan coach who has been the subject of interest from the Iraqi FA who are seeking to fill their vacant national team post. 'There were both good and bad moments during the season but winning a title provides the players the confidence to carry on with some good performances in the remainder of the season, and certainly providing immense joy to the fans and our management.' Ammouta took charge of Jazira in July, five months after leading Jordan to a historic Asian Cup final. He is also no stranger to the UAE having played for Sharjah in the 2002-2003 season. 'The ADIB Cup was the only title we could win this season and I'm very glad we did it tonight,' the Moroccan added. 'It was a great effort from my players. They were aware this was the only trophy we could win this season and they gave everything to win for their fans tonight. 'We created the first scoring chance on 12 minutes and scored off the second opportunity. We focussed on the important things on the pitch and above all the players never gave up on their bid to win this title. 'I always believe in teamwork. I believe that what happened tonight, and the achievement of this victory, is a result of our efforts. Our administration had a very big role in the success of the team. 'I always believe in the work of the entire team, which are the players and the management. Sometimes, there are difficult times but I believe Jazira can take a lot of positives forward from the ADIB Cup.' It was a close game with Shabab Al Ahli unlucky not to equalise when Azmoun's effort from close range ricocheted off the near post in added time. 'It indeed was a high level game. There was a good atmosphere and a tactical presence. I think my team deserved this win,' Ammouta added. Commenting on the success, the Jazira captain and long serving goalkeeper Ali Khaseif said winning one of the three domestic titles was an achievement worth celebrating. 'All teams play for the trophies and achieving it is a great joy to the players, fans and to our management,' he said. 'We haven't had success since last winning the Pro League [in 2021] and tonight we celebrate. Of course it's a joyous moment and hopefully we'll now look in improving our position in the Pro League table.' Ramadan, who scored with a stunning long-range effort, said his father sent him a text message before the match with instructions. 'He texted me to shoot at the goal as powerfully as I could from wherever I got space and that's exactly what I did. It was in my mind all through the game and that goal set us up for the win,' he said with a smile. The Shabab Al Ahli manager Paulo Sousa was gracious in defeat and pointed out his players couldn't find the final touch from the scoring opportunities they created. 'We certainly had our chances but it was the better team on the night,' the Portuguese manager said. 'We came back strongly after Jazira took the lead in the first half. We scored the equaliser but couldn't hold on to it for long. We also had chances to score a goal or two but that didn't happen. 'Obviously we are disappointed. It was a good game for the fans and now we move on to the Pro League to maintain our lead.'
