Nasser Al-Shatti

KUWAIT CITY, Nov 15: Nasser Al-Shatti is poised to make a comeback as head coach of Al-Arabi after the club and the coach reached an agreement on all contract terms. Al-Shatti is expected to lead the team for two and a half seasons.

Several meetings over the past days addressed the conditions proposed by both sides, ultimately resulting in a compromise that cleared the way for Al-Shatti’s return. He is expected to officially begin work with the team tomorrow, provided all goes according to plan.

Al-Arabi dismissed Croatian coach Marko Vesch last Monday following a loss to Al-Nasr in the eighth round of the Zain Premier League. The defeat, the team’s first of the season, dropped Al-Arabi to third place with 14 points, behind Qadsia in second by goal difference and five points behind league leaders Kuwait Club. Under Vesch, the team also failed to progress past the group stage of the Asian Challenge League.

Last week, the club negotiated with Al-Shatti while reviewing several foreign coaches’ résumés before the board ultimately decided to reappoint him.

Al-Shatti previously led Al-Arabi last season before the club opted not to renew his contract. He then signed with Al-Salmiya at the start of this season, but resigned after the first league round following FIFA’s decision to prevent the club from registering foreign players due to unpaid dues to former professionals.

By Hassan Mosa

Al-Seyassah/Arab Times Staff