Tribune News Network
Doha
The Qatar Football Federation (FAF) has extended the contract of Spanish coach Felix Sanchez until 2022, ending speculations surrounding the 2019 AFC Asian Cup winner.
The QFA President Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa bin Ahmed al Thani had said in February during a reception for the national team that they were "working on a new contract for Sanchez for the Asian Cup win.”
The decision to extend the contract is a desire of the QFA to continue the technical stability of the national team which won the AFC Asian Cup title in Jan-Feb this year.
The Spaniard also coached the side at the 2017 Gulf Cup held in Kuwait before guiding Al Annabi to victory in a three-nation event in March last year in Iraq.
Sanchez led the Qatar national team to its first Asian Cup title in the UAE ealry this year but, that fairytale win didn’t stop constant rumours of several big names including former Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger taking over the Qatar national team as they prepare for the 2022 World Cup.
Since the former Aspire Academy coach took over the team in 2017, The Maroons have enjoyed a steady rise in world football and seen more opportunities given to local players, most of whom were students at Aspire. The core of the national team also consists of the 2014 team which won the AFC U-20 championship in Myanmar under Sanchez’s tutelage -- creating a special bond with the squad.
The contract extension comes just weeks before Qatar prepare for their maiden appearance in the Copa America where they will go up against some of South America’s heavyweights in Argentina and Colombia.
The team is also scheduled to play a friendly against five-time World Cup winners Brazil on June 5.
The 2022 World Cup host also have in line the 2020 Copa America in Argentina, the 2022 World Cup, the 2023 Asian Cup and the Gulf Cup.
Doha
The Qatar Football Federation (FAF) has extended the contract of Spanish coach Felix Sanchez until 2022, ending speculations surrounding the 2019 AFC Asian Cup winner.
The QFA President Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa bin Ahmed al Thani had said in February during a reception for the national team that they were "working on a new contract for Sanchez for the Asian Cup win.”
The decision to extend the contract is a desire of the QFA to continue the technical stability of the national team which won the AFC Asian Cup title in Jan-Feb this year.
The Spaniard also coached the side at the 2017 Gulf Cup held in Kuwait before guiding Al Annabi to victory in a three-nation event in March last year in Iraq.
Sanchez led the Qatar national team to its first Asian Cup title in the UAE ealry this year but, that fairytale win didn’t stop constant rumours of several big names including former Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger taking over the Qatar national team as they prepare for the 2022 World Cup.
Since the former Aspire Academy coach took over the team in 2017, The Maroons have enjoyed a steady rise in world football and seen more opportunities given to local players, most of whom were students at Aspire. The core of the national team also consists of the 2014 team which won the AFC U-20 championship in Myanmar under Sanchez’s tutelage -- creating a special bond with the squad.
The contract extension comes just weeks before Qatar prepare for their maiden appearance in the Copa America where they will go up against some of South America’s heavyweights in Argentina and Colombia.
The team is also scheduled to play a friendly against five-time World Cup winners Brazil on June 5.
The 2022 World Cup host also have in line the 2020 Copa America in Argentina, the 2022 World Cup, the 2023 Asian Cup and the Gulf Cup.