Al Jazira now have strategy in place to become both \u201ca top club in the UAE and a top club in Asia\u201d, according to sporting director Mads Davidsen.
\nThe Dane \u2013 who previously helped orchestrate glory for Shanghai SIPG in the Chinese Super League \u2013 was hired last June to implement \u201csustainable sporting success\u201d at the Mohammed bin Zayed Stadium. Results have been encouraging since, with Marcel Keizer\u2019s youthful squad sitting a promising second at the halfway stage despite possessing the Arabian Gulf League\u2019s youngest squad (average age of 25.1) and being the only outfit who declined to fill their foreign quartet last summer.
\nThis process has been codified in recent weeks after a master plan, from the academy to the first team, was approved by the board.
\n\u201cFirst of all, you have to look at how you want to build a club,\u201d said Davidsen on a Zoom call to reporters about this blueprint. \u201cToday, football clubs are very dependent on the head coach.
\n\u201cThey give the coach the keys to the club and let him decide everything. Then after 17 months, statistically, they change coach and throw the keys to the new coach and hope again.
\n\u201cWe look at it differently. We have described our style of play as a club, that\u2019ll never change.
\n\u201cOur philosophy will never change, even if the coach changes. That is the core of our strategy.
\n\u201cA club-defined style of play, club-defined methodology, club-defined recruitment strategy.
\n\u201cWe look at recruitment differently. We look internally first and not externally, unlike others.
\n\u201cDo we need a right or left winger? If so, what do we have in the academy?
\n\u201cEvery time you buy a player, it delays someone\u2019s development.
\n\u201cWe are constantly balancing between when we really need to buy because of quality, or when the quality is not so high giving chances to local players.
\n\u201cWe want to aim to play as many home-grown players as possible. Our squad is above 50 per cent [home-grown players], it should increase to 60 per cent in coming seasons.
\n\u201cThe academy is connected, it is the road towards developing better players. Adding in, of course, foreign quality.
\n\u201cWith a continuous style of play, that is our competitive edge. In future we’ll get better-and-better results.
\n\u201cWe want to be a top club in the UAE and a top club in Asia.\u201d
\nComeback ?10 men ?1-0 down with 10 minutes to go \u23f11\ufe0f\u20e3 Leonardo \u26bd | 2\ufe0f\u20e3 Asante \u26bd | 3\ufe0f\u20e3 Khalfan \u26bdFlashback to a memorable 2018 comeback win over our next opponents Al Nasr ? pic.twitter.com\/ZpGkdvtV89— Al Jazira Club (@AlJazira_uae_EN) January 27, 2021
\nJazira had previously been renowned for lavishing large sums on headline-grabbing non-Emirati additions such as George Weah, Phillip Cocu, Ricardo Oliveira, Abdelaziz Barrada and Manuel Lanzini.
\nIt was an approach which brought intermittent joy with AGL trophies in 2010\/11 and 2016\/17.
\nDavidsen\u2019s approach has accelerated an existing shift in focus which has seen them regularly possess the most players in UAE squads. A seven-strong contingent was called up by the returning Bert van Marwijk for this month\u2019s goalless friendly draw against Iraq.
\nCoveted centre-back Khalifa Al Hammadi, the Whites\u2019 youngest player at January 2019\u2019s Asian Cup, is among those to ink a contract extension, until 2025. Renewals until 2023 were also awarded to Serbia defender Milos Kosanovic, South Africa midfielder Thulani Serero and UAE goalkeeper Ali Khaseif.
\nContinuity is key, but this doesn\u2019t mean recruitment is ignored. The Pride of Abu Dhabi added to their number last week with the return of academy product Mohamed Jamal after a brief stint at Al Ain which contained only one top-flight run-out.
\nRumours about a fourth foreigner persist ahead of the transfer market\u2019s close on February 1.
\n\u201cPeople constantly talk about transfers, especially foreign players,\u201d said Davidsen. \u201cIf you look at [forward] Zayed Al Ameri for example, now he\u2019s developed very well this season, scored five goals and is back with the UAE.
\n\u201cIf I\u2019d signed a foreign player in his position, would he have done this?
\n\u201cEvery time you buy a player you are delaying someone\u2019s development. We buy players if they are significantly better than what we have.\u201d
\nHe added: \u201cWe have done what we said and that creates credibility. We have told young players: \u2018We believe in you.\u2019
\n\u201cWe\u2019ve signed them on longer contracts to show we believe in them.
\n\u201cWe can only do that if we don\u2019t buy players all the time. We believe in the home-grown players.
\n\u201cThat\u2019s why you\u2019ll see limited signings for Al Jazira and more home-grown players.\u201d
\nWelcome home ?A first day back for a familiar face around here ?#PrideOfAbuDhabi ?? pic.twitter.com\/MaYTfXF1Os— Al Jazira Club (@AlJazira_uae_EN) January 24, 2021
\nBut this doesn\u2019t mean eye-catching winter business is off the table. Davidsen, intriguingly, teased the possibility \u201cof a player coming into us\u201d when quizzed.
\nHe stated: \u201cNo, we never change our strategy. This is very simple.
\n\u201cBut that doesn\u2019t mean we won\u2019t sign any players. It isn\u2019t black or white \u2013 it has to make sense.
\n\u201cWe only look for value for money. We will never be a club who overspends just to get individuals inside.
\n\u201cWe see football as a collective game.
\n\u201cMaybe there will be a player coming into us. The window is still open
\n\u201cBut it could also not happen. We are not stressed.
\n\u201cWe believe in our players. Therefore, it is not something we are panicking about.\u201d
\nKeizer is pivotal to the profitable delivery of this strategy. Schooling as a player and coach at Ajax has been apparent through both his tenures at MBZ Stadium.
\nThe 52-year-old came back to Jazira in October 2019 on a deal until June 2021 after a short, trophy laden stint at Sporting Lisbon was abruptly terminated. He guided them up to third before 2019\/20 was halted because of coronavirus, since going one better this season.
\nWill the Dutchman be the next figure to sign fresh terms, especially if a comeback to the AFC Champions League \u2013 after what will be four years away – for 2022 is secured?
\n\u201cI cannot go into details about this, but it\u2019s quite obvious that Marcel is doing a good job,\u201d Davidsen replied. \u201cWe are happy with his performance, as well.
\n\u201cThen, we have to see.\u201d
\nAnother prominent figure in the capital is 2016 AFC Player of the Year Omar Abdulrahman. The celebrated playmaker has, however, been waylaid with a knee injury since October 23\u2019s 1-1 draw with Al Dhafra.
\nDavidsen provided an updated on the 29-year-old\u2019s condition.
\nHe revealed: \u201cAmoory is doing his rehabilitation. He took an operation several months ago.
\n\u201cWith this kind of injury, it\u2019s always difficult to set a timeline.
\n\u201cIt is a week-to-week monitor. But he is doing well and trying to get back fast as possible.\u201d
\nJazira resume in the AGL on Friday with the visit of fourth-placed Al Nasr.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Al Jazira now have strategy in place to become both \u201ca top club in the UAE and a top club in Asia\u201d, according to sporting director Mads Davidsen.
\nThe Dane \u2013 who previously helped orchestrate glory for Shanghai SIPG in the Chinese Super League \u2013 was hired last June to implement \u201csustainable sporting success\u201d at the Mohammed bin Zayed Stadium. Results have been encouraging since, with Marcel Keizer\u2019s youthful squad sitting a promising second at the halfway stage despite possessing the Arabian Gulf League\u2019s youngest squad (average age of 25.1) and being the only outfit who declined to fill their foreign quartet last summer.
\nThis process has been codified in recent weeks after a master plan, from the academy to the first team, was approved by the board.
\n\u201cFirst of all, you have to look at how you want to build a club,\u201d said Davidsen on a Zoom call to reporters about this blueprint. \u201cToday, football clubs are very dependent on the head coach.
\n\u201cThey give the coach the keys to the club and let him decide everything. Then after 17 months, statistically, they change coach and throw the keys to the new coach and hope again.
\n\u201cWe look at it differently. We have described our style of play as a club, that\u2019ll never change.
\n\u201cOur philosophy will never change, even if the coach changes. That is the core of our strategy.
\n\u201cA club-defined style of play, club-defined methodology, club-defined recruitment strategy.
\n\u201cWe look at recruitment differently. We look internally first and not externally, unlike others.
\n\u201cDo we need a right or left winger? If so, what do we have in the academy?
\n\u201cEvery time you buy a player, it delays someone\u2019s development.
\n\u201cWe are constantly balancing between when we really need to buy because of quality, or when the quality is not so high giving chances to local players.
\n\u201cWe want to aim to play as many home-grown players as possible. Our squad is above 50 per cent [home-grown players], it should increase to 60 per cent in coming seasons.
\n\u201cThe academy is connected, it is the road towards developing better players. Adding in, of course, foreign quality.
\n\u201cWith a continuous style of play, that is our competitive edge. In future we\u2019ll get better-and-better results.
\n\u201cWe want to be a top club in the UAE and a top club in Asia.\u201d
\nComeback ?10 men ?1-0 down with 10 minutes to go \u23f11\ufe0f\u20e3 Leonardo \u26bd | 2\ufe0f\u20e3 Asante \u26bd | 3\ufe0f\u20e3 Khalfan \u26bdFlashback to a memorable 2018 comeback win over our next opponents Al Nasr ? pic.twitter.com\/ZpGkdvtV89\u2014 Al Jazira Club (@AlJazira_uae_EN) January 27, 2021
\nJazira had previously been renowned for lavishing large sums on headline-grabbing non-Emirati additions such as George Weah, Phillip Cocu, Ricardo Oliveira, Abdelaziz Barrada and Manuel Lanzini.
\nIt was an approach which brought intermittent joy with AGL trophies in 2010\/11 and 2016\/17.
\nDavidsen\u2019s approach has accelerated an existing shift in focus which has seen them regularly possess the most players in UAE squads. A seven-strong contingent was called up by the returning Bert van Marwijk for this month\u2019s goalless friendly draw against Iraq.
\nCoveted centre-back Khalifa Al Hammadi, the Whites\u2019 youngest player at January 2019\u2019s Asian Cup, is among those to ink a contract extension, until 2025. Renewals until 2023 were also awarded to Serbia defender Milos Kosanovic, South Africa midfielder Thulani Serero and UAE goalkeeper Ali Khaseif.
\nContinuity is key, but this doesn\u2019t mean recruitment is ignored. The Pride of Abu Dhabi added to their number last week with the return of academy product Mohamed Jamal after a brief stint at Al Ain which contained only one top-flight run-out.
\nRumours about a fourth foreigner persist ahead of the transfer market\u2019s close on February 1.
\n\u201cPeople constantly talk about transfers, especially foreign players,\u201d said Davidsen. \u201cIf you look at [forward] Zayed Al Ameri for example, now he\u2019s developed very well this season, scored five goals and is back with the UAE.
\n\u201cIf I\u2019d signed a foreign player in his position, would he have done this?
\n\u201cEvery time you buy a player you are delaying someone\u2019s development. We buy players if they are significantly better than what we have.\u201d
\nHe added: \u201cWe have done what we said and that creates credibility. We have told young players: \u2018We believe in you.\u2019
\n\u201cWe\u2019ve signed them on longer contracts to show we believe in them.
\n\u201cWe can only do that if we don\u2019t buy players all the time. We believe in the home-grown players.
\n\u201cThat\u2019s why you\u2019ll see limited signings for Al Jazira and more home-grown players.\u201d
\nWelcome home ?A first day back for a familiar face around here ?#PrideOfAbuDhabi ?? pic.twitter.com\/MaYTfXF1Os\u2014 Al Jazira Club (@AlJazira_uae_EN) January 24, 2021
\nBut this doesn\u2019t mean eye-catching winter business is off the table. Davidsen, intriguingly, teased the possibility \u201cof a player coming into us\u201d when quizzed.
\nHe stated: \u201cNo, we never change our strategy. This is very simple.
\n\u201cBut that doesn\u2019t mean we won\u2019t sign any players. It isn\u2019t black or white \u2013 it has to make sense.
\n\u201cWe only look for value for money. We will never be a club who overspends just to get individuals inside.
\n\u201cWe see football as a collective game.
\n\u201cMaybe there will be a player coming into us. The window is still open
\n\u201cBut it could also not happen. We are not stressed.
\n\u201cWe believe in our players. Therefore, it is not something we are panicking about.\u201d
\nKeizer is pivotal to the profitable delivery of this strategy. Schooling as a player and coach at Ajax has been apparent through both his tenures at MBZ Stadium.
\nThe 52-year-old came back to Jazira in October 2019 on a deal until June 2021 after a short, trophy laden stint at Sporting Lisbon was abruptly terminated. He guided them up to third before 2019\/20 was halted because of coronavirus, since going one better this season.
\nWill the Dutchman be the next figure to sign fresh terms, especially if a comeback to the AFC Champions League \u2013 after what will be four years away \u2013 for 2022 is secured?
\n\u201cI cannot go into details about this, but it\u2019s quite obvious that Marcel is doing a good job,\u201d Davidsen replied. \u201cWe are happy with his performance, as well.
\n\u201cThen, we have to see.\u201d
\nAnother prominent figure in the capital is 2016 AFC Player of the Year Omar Abdulrahman. The celebrated playmaker has, however, been waylaid with a knee injury since October 23\u2019s 1-1 draw with Al Dhafra.
\nDavidsen provided an updated on the 29-year-old\u2019s condition.
\nHe revealed: \u201cAmoory is doing his rehabilitation. He took an operation several months ago.
\n\u201cWith this kind of injury, it\u2019s always difficult to set a timeline.
\n\u201cIt is a week-to-week monitor. But he is doing well and trying to get back fast as possible.\u201d
\nJazira resume in the AGL on Friday with the visit of fourth-placed Al Nasr.<\/p>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"image","meta":[],"categories":[1],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/sportinfo.pro\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/27714"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/sportinfo.pro\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/sportinfo.pro\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportinfo.pro\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportinfo.pro\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=27714"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/sportinfo.pro\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/27714\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":27715,"href":"https:\/\/sportinfo.pro\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/27714\/revisions\/27715"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/sportinfo.pro\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=27714"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportinfo.pro\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=27714"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportinfo.pro\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=27714"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}