By Andrew Warshaw in Doha
February 19 – Qatar’s determination to be taken seriously as a football nation has resulted in the appointment of a fourth national coach in just over a year as 55-year-old Brazilian Paulo Autuori became the latest figure to try and take the tiny Gulf state to its first ever World Cup.
Autuori, who managed Peru’s national team between 2003 and 2005, has been in charge of Qatar’s Olympic side for the past five months and is the man assigned to steer the senior squad through their final third round Asian zone qualifying match for the 2014 World Cup, a vital fixture against Iran in Tehran on February 29.
Qatar is battling for the section’s remaining qualifying spot along with Bahrain, managed by experienced English coach Peter Taylor.
Bahrain have a must-win match against Indonesia while the Qataris need just a point to progress to the fourth stage of the qualifying competition along with Iran.
Qatar have been without a coach since December 20 when they sacked Autuori’s Brazilian compatriot Sebastiao Lazaroni following their early elimination from the Arab Games they hosted.
The widely travelled Autuori has coached a multitude of clubs, mainly in South America, including guiding Cruzeiro and Sao Paulo to Copa Libertadores titles, and Sao Paulo to the Club World Cup.
He is among the most successful foreign coaches to have worked in Qatar, having joined Al Rayyan Sports Club in 2007-08 and guided them to the Emir’s Cup in the last two seasons.
Qatar may be making good progress in preparing to host the 2022 World Cup but authorities are under increasing pressure to improve the oil and gas-rich nation’s 96th-ranked position in world football, hence so many changes of coach.
It is hoped Autuori will be able to build on his four years in the country and his familiarity both with Qatar’s footballing infrastructure and its culture.
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