(MENAFN- The Peninsula)
The Peninsula
Doha: FIFA World Cup winner with France Laurent Blanc was yesterday unveiled as new coach of Al Rayyan.
The former France team coach finalised an 18-month contract to end a four-year wait as a coach.
Blanc was given a club jersey in the presence of Sheikh Ali bin Saud Al Thani, Chairman of the Club, and Ali Salem Afifa, Vice President of the Club.
Sheikh Ali said in a Twitter post released by the club: 'Laurent Blanc is a great addition to Al Rayyan and Qatari football. He is a worldclass coach and a big name in world football. We wish him success with the team during the next stage of our league.
Blanc said during the unveiling press conference yesterday that he has ‘big goals with Al Rayyan' and is looking forward to achieving the hopes and aspirations of the club's fans in the coming period.
'Al Rayyan fans always want victories and this is my goal with the team - which is to get victories that the fans want to see, Blanc said yesterday.
He pointed out that he has followed the Qatari league since he was coaching PSG, due to the strong ties between France and Qatar.
He said he is familiar with Al Rayyan players and knows some of them like Yacine Brahimi, whom he wanted to sign during his time with the French giants.
'I will work with the players who are currently trying return the team to top of the points table, he was quoted as saying in a tweet posted on the club's Twitter handle.
The 55-year-old Frenchman replaced Diego Aguirre who announced last month he wanted to leave the club for personal reasons.
The former coach of French giants PSG team will lead the side for their next QNB Stars League clash against Al Sadd, the new Amir Cup champions on Wednesday. Al Sadd are coached by Xavi.
The popular 1998 World Cup winner had been without a club for more than four years. His last assignment was with PSG who beat Marseille (4-2) in 2016.
Blanc launched his coaching career with Bordeaux (2007-2010) and then moved to PSG (2013-2016) before taking a break.
Under Blanc, France won 16 of 27 matches. PSG played 173 Ligue 1 matches under Blanc.
Al Rayyan are currently in sixth spot on the QNB Stars League points table.
Last week leaders Al Sadd widened their gap on top of the table to six points following their 4-1 victory over Al Gharafa in the week's marquee clash.
The Wolves now have 25 points withy eight victories and a draw, and are still the only unbeaten team.
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