Jan Van Winckel, technical advisor at the United Arab Emirates Football Federation, today signed a contract as a technical consultant to Al-Ahli Saudi. The new collaboration builds on a successful history. Al Ahli Saudi became vice Asian champion under Van Winckel as technical director but was relegated last year with Besnik Hasi as a coach. The club signed Van Winckel for three years and asked him to study the club and the academy and advise the board and the club’s management.
In a statement released by Al Ahli Saudi, Jan Van Winckel said: “I am very proud to have signed as consultant and advisor for one of the biggest clubs in Asia. I have worked for Al-Hilal Saudi, Al-Ahli Saudi, and the Saudi FF, and I am well aware of the big potential of Al-Ahli Saudi.” He added: “I have visited the camp in Turkey and spoken to the President and the management. What I have seen makes me hopeful for the next season. I was impressed with the discipline at the camp and was impressed with the development the young players have made. The first team coaches and first team management will work hard to get promoted, while I will advise the board and management about the long-term strategies to implement to compete again with the big clubs in the future.”
Consequently, Van Winckel resigned today as a board member at Sheffield United FC. Al-Ahli Saudi is one of the big four clubs in Saudi and plays its home matches at the King Abdullah Stadium, accommodating more than 60,000 people.
