Our colleague Amith Passela reports on the rumours at Al Jazira ...
Abel Braga, the Al Jazira coach, has rubbished reports from the Brazilian media of a move to Santos, the Brazilian club, who is under caretaker coach after firing Dorival Junior following their 3-1 defeat to Vasco Da Gama in the Serie A on Wednesday.
"They are fabricated stories," Braga said. "I have a contract with Jazira until June 2011 and I want to respect that. My relationship with Jazira is built on respect and trust, so I don't intend of any moves, unless the club want me to go."
According to Braga, 17 coaches have been fired from the Brazilian league. "The speculations are rife and they drag every name as replacements. But there has been no offer for me from Santos, and even if there was one, my answer would be a clear no.
"I am not looking at the money anymore. I want to be with a club where I can contribute in their development and progress. I find that at Jazira. I am willing to even work free for them. That's the kind of respect I have built with Jazira."
Dorival was fired after he refused to recall the suspended 18-year-old star striker Neymar.
The club, often remembered as the home of Pele, have appointed Marcelo Martelote as caretaker coach and Braga's name was linked as one of the candidates by the Brazilian media.
"Of course there are no guarantees to a football manager's job," Braga said. "Laszlo Boloni (the Al Wahda coach) was terminated after two league matches. For the time being, my future of staying at Jazira is in their hands. But I have no intentions to leave unless they want me to."
Braga has an exemplary record with the Abu Dhabi club, having seen them finish second in his two years in charge, and rounding off the last season winning the Etisalat Cup.
They have lost just once in 26 league games from last season and meet Baniyas at the Mohammed bin Zayed Stadium tonight at 8.
"Baniyas is one of the most dangerous teams and they play attacking game," said Braga. "Jazira also play the same offensive style and I expect it to be a very open and entertaining game."
Sami Rabea, the Al Wasl defender and captain, who crossed over to Jazira on the last day of the transfer window 11 days ago, is set to get his first start for his new club. His place in the lineup is not one of choice but out of necessity, as replacement for Jumaa Abdullah, who is serving a one-match ban for three bookings.
Braga admitted his defense will be tested by Andre Senghor, the leading scorer with six goals after four rounds, and the youthful Baniyas midfielders -- Mohammed Fawzi, Theyab Awana, Amer Abdulrahman, and Habboush Saleh, all from the UAE Olympic team.
"They work well from the middle and feed Senghor with good balls," said Braga. "We are also strong in the middle with Ibrahim Diaky, Matias (Delgado) and Subait (Khater), so I would expect the attack to come from the two flanks.
"I have a lot of respect for Baniyas but I am not afraid of them. We want to win this game after the two draws against Al Wahda and Al Ahli. Jazira is at a very good level and I am very hopeful of keeping that intact."