Crespo out as Al Ain coach, months after Champions League glory / Photo: © AFP
-
Laos hostel staff detained after backpackers' deaths
-
Hong Kong LGBTQ advocate wins posthumous legal victory
-
Ukraine says cannot meet landmine destruction pledge due to Russia invasion
-
Rod Stewart to play Glastonbury legends slot
-
Winter rains pile misery on war-torn Gaza's displaced
-
'Taiwan also has baseball': jubilant fans celebrate historic win
-
Russia pummels Ukraine with 'record' drone barrage
-
Paul Pogba blackmail trial set to open in Paris
-
China's Huawei unveils 'milestone' smartphone with homegrown OS
-
Landmine victims gather to protest US decision to supply Ukraine
-
Indian rival royal factions clash outside palace
-
Equity markets retreat, dollar gains as Trump fires tariff warning
-
Manga adaptation 'Drops of God' nets International Emmy Award
-
China's Huawei launches 'milestone' smartphone with homegrown OS
-
Philippine VP denies assassination plot against Marcos
-
Four Pakistan security forces killed as ex-PM Khan supporters flood capital
-
Hong Kong's legal battles over LGBTQ rights: key dates
-
US lawmakers warn Hong Kong becoming financial crime hub
-
Compressed natural gas vehicles gain slow momentum in Nigeria
-
As Arctic climate warms, even Santa runs short of snow
-
Plastic pollution talks: the key sticking points
-
Indonesia rejects Apple's $100 million investment offer
-
Pakistan police fire tear gas, rubber bullets at ex-PM Khan supporters
-
Ronaldo double takes Al Nassr to brink of AFC Champions League last 16
-
Pakistan police fire tear gas, rubber bullets at pro-Khan supporters
-
Hong Kong same-sex couples win housing, inheritance rights
-
Indonesia digs out as flooding, landslide death toll hits 20
-
Liverpool's old guard thriving despite uncertain futures
-
Mbappe takes reins for Real Madrid in Liverpool clash
-
As AI gets real, slow and steady wins the race
-
China's Huawei to launch 'milestone' smartphone with homegrown OS
-
Porzingis and Morant make triumphant NBA returns
-
Hong Kong top court affirms housing, inheritance rights for same-sex couples
-
Philippines, China clashes trigger money-making disinformation
-
Most Asian markets drop, dollar gains as Trump fires tariff warning
-
England 'not quivering' ahead of New Zealand Test challenge
-
Bethell to bat at three on England Test debut against New Zealand
-
Trump vows big tariffs on Mexico, Canada and China
-
New Zealand and England to play for Crowe-Thorpe Trophy
-
Scheffler, Schauffele and McIlroy up for PGA Player of the Year
-
Trump to face less internal pushback in new term: ex-commerce chief
-
Extreme weather threatens Canada's hydropower future
-
More than 34,000 register as candidates for Mexico judges' election
-
Australia ban cycling's Richardson for life after UK defection
-
Internal displacement in Africa triples in 15 years: monitor
-
'Remarkable global progress': HIV cases and deaths declining
-
Social media firms raise 'serious concerns' over Australian U-16 ban
-
Tiger to skip Hero World Challenge after back surgery
-
MLB shifts six 2025 Rays games to avoid weather issues
-
US women's keeper Naeher retiring after Europe matches
Crespo out as Al Ain coach, months after Champions League glory
Hernan Crespo has been sacked as coach of Al Ain, the club from the United Arab Emirates said, six months after he guided them to glory in the AFC Champions League.
The former Argentina striker's exit came a day after a 5-1 hammering by Cristiano Ronaldo's Al Nassr in Asia's top club competition, which left the defending champions bottom of the standings halfway through the group phase.
Recent results were "not up to expectations", a club statement said Wednesday, adding they would appoint a replacement within hours.
The 49-year-old Crespo took over in November last year and in May led Al Ain to victory over Japan's Yokohama F. Marinos in the two-legged final of the Champions League.
But the former Chelsea and Inter Milan star's side have been on a poor run of form since late September, the final straw being Tuesday's heavy away defeat to the Saudi side.
Ronaldo scored once in the rout.
Al Ain are languishing at the foot of the 12-team West zone standings in the AFC Champions League, now called the Champions League Elite, with one point from four games.
They have also had a poor start to their UAE Pro League campaign and are eighth in the 14-team table. Al Ain have eight points from five matches and are 10 points adrift of leaders Shabab Al Ahli.
L.Janezki--BTB