Big coaches to battle it out in Qatar Cup

Four experienced head coaches are preparing to battle it out to lift the famous Qatar Cup trophy, come the 29th of April. QSL online decided to have a look at the head coaches who are on the brink of pushing their sides to Qatar Cup glory.

Al Rayyan
Veteran tactician Jorge Fossati is no stranger having managed both Al Sadd in two separate stints and the Qatar national team. The Uruguayan has won virtually everything in Qatari football including a famous treble in 2011 which included the AFC Champions League, Emir Cup and Qatar Stars League title. However the Qatar Cup has eluded him so far, he will be eager to add that to his already extensive CV.
This season and Fossati has been the guiding force of an impressive Al Rayyan side who stormed to the QSL title for the first time in 21 years. His astute summer signings along with picking up the very best Qatari talent galvanised Al Rayyan and pushed them all the way to the falcon shield.
Despite dropping off domestically since lifting the title, head coach Fossati will be sure that he can lift his squad for the Qatar Cup, and be a part of the showpiece final on the 29th of April.   

El Jaish
French head coach Sabri Lamouchi took the helm of El Jaish in December 2014. Since then the soldiers have developed into a fine attacking side.  Lamouchi had a fine football career as a player, turning out for the likes of Inter Milan and Monaco. Lamouchi ended his playing days in Qatar, and so it was an easy choice when El Jaish came calling for a new head coach.
Domestically, El Jaish have always in the top 4 mix under Lamouchi, but have always fell at the final hurdle. This was epitomised in the 2014/2015 season when Jaish got to the final of both the Qatar and Emir cups only to be pipped at the very last.
However after the disappointment of last year, Jaish have come out with renewed vigour domestically. They have been the most consistent side in the QSL, and fine additions to the squad in Sardor Rahidov and Abderrazak Hamdallah have boosted Jaish’s attacking options.
After being so close last time, Lamouchi will be hungry to lift his piece of silverware with this dynamic El Jaish side.

Al Sadd
Jesualdo Ferreira is the newest face of the quartet to Qatari football but the former Zamalek coach brings a wealth of experience to the Al Sadd hot seat. The 69-year-old coach has managed at every major club in Portugal and has lifted the Portuguese championship on three occasions with Porto.
After a slow start of the season, Ferreira has galvanised this young Al Sadd side to a third place finish. The Qatar Cup represents a very real chance for the Wolves to lift their first piece of silverware under their new coach.   

Lekhwiya
Last year’s Qatar Cup champions Lekhwiya, turned to a familiar face following the departure of Michael Laudrup last summer.
Former head coach Djamel Belmadi, the manager who helped the Red Knights to their first ever QSL falcon shield in the 2010-2011 season. The former Southampton player has endured a mixed bag in his second stint in charge. However he did manage to guide Lekhwiya to their third straight Qatar Cup tournament.
Lekhwiya have been involved with every final since the rebranding of the competition, and will be looking for the same come the 29th of April.