Bulent Uygun the new Al Rayyan coach.
Doha: A day after parting ways with Argentine Rodolfo Arruabarrena, Al Rayyan have announced experienced Bulent Uygun as their new head coach who will take the charge soon, Qatar’s top football club announced yesterday.
Uygun, a former professional footballer from Turkey, will be arriving in Doha soon to oversee Al Rayyan’s preparations for Round 9 of the QNB Stars League (QSL).
Arruabarrena resigned as coach in the aftermaths of Al Rayyan’s shock defeat against Al Khor in the QSL last week. The loss followed Al Rayyan’s 5-0 drubbing to Al Sadd last month in Qatar Clasico. The former QSL champions, who started this season as main title contenders along with reigning champions Al Duhail and Al Sadd, are on 4th spot with 14 points.
‘The Lions’ will be hoping for a reverse of fortunes under Uygun, who is no stranger to the QSL as he coached Al Gharafa to an impressive 4th position last season.
He was also at Umm Salal’s helm during 2013-16. Bulent had made it big at the club and country levels as an attacking midfielder. He had captained Fenerbahce, where he spent most of his club career, apart from playing for the Turkey national team 18 times.
The Turk is expected to start his Al Rayyan campaign against his former ranks Al Gharafa on October 19 at Al Sadd Stadium. Al Duhail are leading the QSL points standings with 19 points, followed by Al Sadd (17) and Al Sailiya (16).
Meanwhile, Arruabarrena held a farewell meeting with Al Rayyan’s players and officials exchanging good wishes, before his departure back home.
