Doha: Al Ahli Sports Club of Qatar announced today the official signing of national coach Younes Ali to take over the first team's coaching duties, succeeding Croatian Igor Pescan, whose contract with the club was terminated by mutual agreement.

According to Qatar News Agency, the club explained in a statement on its social media accounts that Younes Ali signed a contract to coach the team for one and a half seasons, ending in the summer of 2027, and began his duties immediately upon signing the contract.

The statement added that the club's management, headed by Hassan Yousef Al Mulla, held a meeting with the coach, during which they briefed him on their vision for the upcoming period and the club's goals in local and international competitions, where the club represents Qatari football in the AFC Champions League.

They stressed the importance of achieving satisfactory results for the club's fans, especially as the team will also participate in the Qatar-UAE Challenge Cup next month against Al-Jazira Club (fourth in the UAE league standings).

Younes Ali, 43, previously coached Al Arabi for two seasons, winning the Amir Cup in 2023 and the Qatari-Emirati Super Cup in 2024.

Al Ahli currently sits ninth in the Doha Bank Stars League standings with 12 points from ten matches, the most recent being a 3-2 victory over Al Duhail. The club also leads Group B in the AFC Champions League with seven points.