Defending Asian soccer champions Al-Ain have appointed Leonardo Jardim as their new head coach, replacing Hernan Crespo, who was sacked after a string of poor results.
Jardim, the former AS Monaco manager, has signed a contract until the end of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup.
Jardim, who led Monaco to the Ligue 1 title and a remarkable Champions League semi-final in 2017, returns to the UAE after a successful stint with Shabab Al-Ahli, where he won the UAE Pro League title last year.
He also managed Al-Rayyan in Qatar for a season.
Crespo was dismissed following Al-Ain's heavy defeats, including a 5-1 loss to Saudi Arabia's Al-Nassr in the Asian Champions League and a 3-0 loss to Egypt's Al-Ahly in the FIFA Intercontinental Cup.
Al-Ain are currently eighth in the UAE Pro League and have just one point from four games in the Asian Champions League Elite.
Sarfaraz named Pakistan's test coach for Bangladesh series
Coventry promoted to Premier League after 25-year absence
Gujarat sink Kolkata with adaptable bowling in IPL
Alcaraz pulls out of Madrid Open for second straight year
Injured Djokovic to miss Madrid Open
