Arabian Gulf League 2014/15 team guides: Baniyas

Chronic lack of patience with manager is dragging down club's fortunes, writes Amith Passela

Amer Abdulrahman of the UAE in action during a friendly match against Paraguay in Austria on September 7, 2014. Photo Courtesy: UAE FA

Baniyas have paid heavily in previous seasons for the lack of patience they have shown with their managers.

This time, though, they are hoping for stability with the arrival of the Spaniard Luis Garcia in the summer. Garcia is the ninth coach in four years to take charge of the club who returned to the top flight six years ago.

“We have opened a new page at the club with a new coach and new objectives to achieve, which would be a top-four finish,” said Mohammed Aida Al Minhali, the Baniyas team manager.

Baniyas showed plenty of promise during their first two seasons back in the top tier, finishing in fourth place in 2009/10 followed by a club-best second in 2010/11.

Their fortunes have been up and down since then. They finished ninth in 2011/12, fourth in 2012/13 and then ninth again last season.

It is Garcia’s first time in the Arabian Gulf and he is not promising instant success.

“I have come with the aim of achieving something for the club, but that will not happen anytime soon. I have not come here with a magic stick but work over a period of time,” he said.

“I am always interested in new ideas and want to know about football in different cultures and countries. That’s why I took the challenge to come here.

“My first task is to learn about the players and the way they play. Then I want to use what I know and share what I have experienced at other teams and put that in Baniyas.”

Baniyas have signed Spaniards Joan Verdu and Angel Dealbert, who are both 31. The duo have more than 300 Spanish Primera Liga games of experience between them. Verdu previously played for Deportivo la Coruna, Espanyol and Real Betis, while Dealbert played at Castello and Valencia before spending two seasons in Russia with Kuban Krasnodar.

The club lost some of their Emirati players to other sides last season, but the return of influential Emirati midfielder Amer Abdulrahman, who spent much of last season out with a knee injury, will be a major boost.

FOREIGN PLAYERS

Carlos Munoz

It is no surprise that Munoz, 25, is the only foreign player retained from last season. The Chile international forward was a relative success for Baniyas, becoming the club's top scorer with 14 goals in 21 Arabian Gulf League appearances. He is not only dangerous inside the box and can create chances for his teammates.

Angel Dealbert

The former Valencia defender arrived in Abu Dhabi after completing a two-year spell at Russian Premier League club Kuban Krasnodar. The Spaniard, 31, replaces Oman international Abdulaslam Al Mukhaini and is expected to provide more solidity in the Baniyas defence.

Joan Verdu

The second Spaniard to be recruited by Baniyas, the midfielder arrives at the club with an impressive resume. Verdu, 31, is a product of the Barcelona youth system, and the elegant playmaker played 144 league matches for neighbours and city rivals Espanyol. At Baniyas, he has been handed the No 10 shirt.

Kim Jung-woo

An impressive performer in the Arabian Gulf League for Sharjah last season, the central midfielder was nominated for the foreign player of the year award. The South Korea international, 32, is the oldest of the club's foreign quartet, but he brings with him 66 international caps and a wealth of experience.

Follow us on Twitter at @SprtNationalUAE