Al Ain have parted ways with head coach Hernan Crespo, just six months after celebrating an AFC Champions League title. The decision follows a string of disappointing results, culminating in a heavy 5-1 defeat to Cristiano Ronaldo's Al Nassr in the Asian Champions League group stage.
“Recent results have not been up to expectations,” explained the club in an official statement released on Wednesday.
Al Ain confirmed that a replacement for Crespo will be announced soon.
Crespo, a former Argentine international striker known for his time at clubs like Chelsea and Inter Milan, joined Al Ain in November 2022. He quickly made an impact, leading the team to victory in the AFC Champions League this past May after defeating Japan's Yokohama F. Marinos in the final.
However, the team's form dipped significantly starting in late September, with the loss to Al Nassr proving to be the final straw for Crespo's tenure. Ronaldo himself was among the scorers in the lopsided match, a result that leaves the defending champions at the bottom of their group with a single point from four matches.
Al Ain's domestic campaign in the UAE Pro League has also been challenging. They currently sit in eighth place in the 14-team league, having earned just eight points from five matches. This puts them ten points behind league leaders Shabab Al Ahli.
The search for a new manager is already underway as Al Ain aims to turn around their season both domestically and in the prestigious Asian Champions League.
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