Al-Ain Club Dismisses Hernan Crespo After Disappointing Streak
- Hernan Crespo was fired by Al-Ain after a disappointing string of results in the AFC Champions League.
- Crespo's tenure saw him achieve a significant victory with the club in Asia's Champions League title, but he struggled this season.
- The club did not announce a new coach immediately after Crespo's dismissal, citing unmet expectations.
On November 6, 2024, Al-Ain dismissed head coach Hernan Crespo following a series of disappointing results in the AFC Champions League. This decision was influenced by a notable 5-1 defeat against Al-Nassr, a match that raised serious concerns about the team's performance. During Crespo's short tenure, which lasted less than six months, he had previously celebrated a significant triumph by winning Asia's Champions League title. However, his team's performance in the current season was far from satisfactory, securing just one point from their first four matches. The club's management expressed gratitude to Crespo but emphasized that the recent results failed to meet expectations, leading to his dismissal. Although the club has not yet announced a replacement, Crespo's departure means he will miss the chance to coach Al-Ain in the upcoming 32-team FIFA Club World Cup, where the team had qualified for the tournament set to take place in the United States next summer.