Following the departure of Spain's Juan Ramon Lopez Caro as Oman national football team coach, the Oman Football Association (OFA) has begun its hunt for the former Real Madrid coach's successor.
The national teams' committee, chaired by Sheikh Salim al Wahaibi, the OFA chairman, is set to convene a crucial meeting on Tuesday to discuss three names that have been shortlisted recently. Heading into the meeting, three East European candidates have emerged as the top contenders, according to top OFA sources.
Also, it is learnt that the national teams' committee has agreed not to appoint an Omani coach this time. “It is now confirmed that there would be no Omani coach for the national team, be it interim or permanent.
“The focus has shifted towards Europe and three names that will be discussed tomorrow are coaches from east European countries,” the official told Muscat Daily on condition of anonymity. Once the national teams' panel finalises the name, it would be recommended to the OFA board for final approval.
The Red Warriors' next major campaign begins in March next year with the third round of the 2019 Asian Cup qualifiers, while the 23rd edition of the Gulf Cup is scheduled to be held in Doha, Qatar in December-January.
Oman's last coach from an east European country was Milan Macala of the Czech Republic, who was in his second term with Oman, from 2006-2007. Macala led Oman to the Gulf Cup final in UAE in 2007 where the Red Warriors finished runner-up.
