Azenha resignation stuns Sharjah

Carlos Azenha has shocked Sharjah, the coach resigning for what he says are 'personal reasons' just four days before the club opens Etisalat Cup play against Al Nasr on Friday.

Carlos Azenha resigned yesterday as the coach of Sharjah, a team official confirmed. The move leaves the club looking for a replacement just four days ahead of their first match in the Etisalat Cup.

Azenha, 44, stepped down for "personal reasons" and was not dismissed, the official said. "The club was happy with him, the players were happy with him. It is an unfortunate situation."

Azenha had been introduced as the club's coach on June 16.

The former Porto assistant said he had "many offers from around the world, including Europe, but I chose Sharjah because of their history".

Sharjah have won five league championships, the most recent in 1995.

Sharjah's board is expected to review the names on the shortlist of candidates compiled in June, and the club may be inclined to hire another coach who speaks Portuguese given that their three non-Asian foreigners are from Brazil: Marcelo Oliveira, Eder Luciano and Vanderson Valter de Almeida.

Azenha last season coached the second-tier Portugal side ,Portimonense. In 2009, he briefly led the first-division club Vitoria.

Sharjah are home to Al Nasr in the Etisalat Cup on Friday.

Their first league game is away to Al Wasl on October 16.