Al Gharafa have named Habib Sadeq as the team's new coach following the departure of Pedro Caixinha, it emerged yesterday.
Mahmoud Ghazal, Head of Football at Qatar Stars League (QSL) giants Al Gharafa, named Sadeq as the man to replace Ciaxinha who has signed off to join Scottish football powerhouse Rangers, reports showed yesterday.
Caixinha's departure has come with mutual consent, the club said in a Twitter post.
"The coach's desire to invest the offer of the Scottish club was stronger than our desire to keep him with us," Al Gharafa said on Twitter.
The 46-year-old Portuguese tactician was heavily favoured to replace Mark Warburton who left Rangers last month.
Rangers, who play Celtic today, have roped in Under-20s coach Graeme Murty as a stop-gap arrangement since Wartburton's departure.
In a report posted yesterday on Al Kass website, Ghazal thanked Caixinha for his 'services' to Al Gharafa.
"He gave his best effort and performed with great responsibility with Al Gharafa. We wish him all the best at his new club," Ghazal was quoted as saying.
"I wish Habib Sadeq the best in his next mission," Ghazal said.
"He is no stranger to this great club. He has created a name for himself when it comes to dedication and hard work," he added.
"He has good knowledge about our players. He has helped us create a good bunch of young players," Ghazal said. "He has managed the younger players coming in through the ranks," he said.
Two days ago, Al Gharafa confirmed the news on Caixinha's departure for Rangers.
"Al Gharafa got to agreement with The Scottish Club Rangers F.C. about transfer of the Head Coach Pedro Caixinha," a club Tweet said.
"Our Club Considered the Financial benefits of Al Gharafa especially when we know the Coach's contract ends in 45 days," another Tweet said.
Retired football star Alan Stubbs has praised Caixinha's move to Rangers, saying he has the "right tools" to succeed at the SPL giants.
"I think he could be very good," Stubbs told BBC Scotland.
"It is a left-field choice because I don't think anyone would have thought of this in the first place, but that doesn't mean he's not a right fit for the club.
"He could come and do fantastically well and the board would be judged to have made a great signing - only time will tell.
"But he's got the right tools to do a very good job at Rangers and that's the most important thing," Stubbs was quoted as saying in a BBC report.
Former QSL champions Al Gharafa are in fifth spot behind points leaders Lekhwiya, Al Sadd, Al Rayyan and El Jaish.
Also known as The Panthers, Al Gharafa have 37 points from 23 games.
