Former Al Nasr and Al Jazira manager Walter Zenga takes charge at Wolves

Walter Zenga is well known to fans of UAE football for his spells at Al Ain, Al Nasr, Al Jazira, and Al Shaab. Francois Nel / Getty Images

Walter Zenga, the former Al Nasr, Al Jazira, and Al Shaab manager, has joined Wolverhampton Wanderers, the English Championship club announced Saturday.

Zenga, 56, replaces Kenny Jackett, who was sacked late Friday night following discussions with the club’s new owners, Fosun International.

“We’re delighted to appoint Walter as the new head coach of Wolves,” Wolves’s new ‘main director’ Jeff Shi said.

“He has an excellent track record both as a player and as a coach, and a wealth of experience he can bring to his new role at Wolves. Walter is a hugely passionate personality who lives for football and is fiercely determined to succeed in everything that he does.

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“We are looking forward to working with him, and supporting him in the shared aim of trying to help Wolves achieve promotion back to the Premier League.”

Zenga, a goalkeeper in his playing days, spent much of his career at Inter Milan, making for than 300 appearances for the Serie A club, receiving 58 caps for Italy.

Zenga is well known to UAE football fans for his time in the Emirates, spending two years with Al Nasr between 2011 and 2013, followed by a seven month stint with Abu Dhabi club Al Jazira.

He most recently spent a brief stint at Al Shaab, but the Italian and the club parted ways after just 12 matches.

Zenga also spent time at Al Ain in 2007, while his varied managerial career has taken him to Romania with Progresul Bucharest and Steaua Bucharest, Serbia with Red Star Belgrade, and spells in his homeland with Catania, Palermo, and most recently in 2015 at Sampdoria.

Zenga is expected to be provided with funds to spend on new payers.

“We have said we will invest between £20 million (Dh97m) and £30m over the next two years,” Shi said. “That is a necessity and if necessary we can put more money in. The most important thing is getting the right players in the right position to help the club. I do not think money is a problem for us.”

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