January 2 – Following a deeply disappointing World Cup campaign, Qatar and their long-standing coach Felix Sanchez have parted ways.
At last month’s World Cup, Qatar exited the group stage with no points and no goals scored, the worst record of any nation staging the tournament. They were only the second host nation to depart the World Cup in the first round following South Africa in 2010. Sanchez leaves his role as Qatar coach by mutual consent.
“The past 5.5 years with Qatar’s senior national team have been a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. I can only thank the QFA, Sheikh Hamad the president and the country’s leaders for the trust and support during a period in which we achieved a lot together,” said Sanchez.
“Qatar, its people and its football will always be in my heart. Now is a good time to let others take on the responsibility of the team and for me to explore new challenges.”
Qatar was the first Arab nation to host the World Cup but for all its financial resources the tiny country was always confronted with the problem of developing enough players to compete internationally. The Aspire Academy on the outskirts of Doha and Sanchez played a pivotal part in building Qatar’s team for the World Cup.
In 2006, Sanchez arrived from Barcelona’s La Masia academy. With his experience from one of the most hallowed schools of football, the Spaniard built a new team, winning the U-19 Asian Cup, Qatar’s first-ever continental title in 2014.
That generation, including Akram Afif, Almoez Ali, Tarek Salman, Assim Madibo, Salem Al-Hajri and goalkeeper Youssef Hassan went on to win the 2019 Asian Cup, playing 4-3-3 and some swashbuckling football. In 2021 the same team reached the semi-finals of Concacaf’s Gold Cup. But perhaps Qatar had peaked too early because they never rekindled that form and following a bizarre preparation for the finals on home soil they were no match for the Netherlands, Ecuador and Senegal in Group A.
Qatar Football Association president Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani thanked Sanchez for his work and time in Qatar.
“Felix has been not only our coach, but also our friend. The football family of Qatar will always be grateful for the success he has brought to Qatar football over the years,” he said.
“Coach Felix will always have a special place with us and we hope he always thinks of Qatar as his home.”
Sanchez’s successor will have no easy task as Qatar will host their defence of the next Asian Cup in January 2024.
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