Vieira to be the Baniyas coach next season

Kalba's caretaker manager to move clubs and take on Baniyas job next season.

Baniyas have announced that Jorvan Vieira is to take charge of the team next season.

Vieira, 58, has been given a two-year contract, a Baniyas official said yesterday. The Brazilian is currently the caretaker coach at Pro League strugglers Kalba.

He becomes the third manager confirmed in a role for the 2011/2012 Pro League season after Al Wahda renewed the contract of Josef Hickersberger and Al Nasr extended Walter Zenga's caretaker role into a full-time one.

Also, Al Wasl announced it has reached an agreement with Argentine legend Diego Maradona, and that deal is expected to be finalised early next month.

Vieira has been in the region for more than three decades since his first job with Qatar Sports Club in 1980. He led Iraq to a surprise Asian Cup title in 2007.

Vieira replaced compatriot Igancio Patricio in January and won 11 of his team's 17 points. However, he faces a tough test tonight as his side tries to avoid the drop when they face Al Ain in a crucial match for both teams.

Kalba are second last and five points behind Al Ain with three games left. Baniyas are in second place.

Meanwhile, Al Jazira, the Pro League champions, said they are still searching to find a new coach to replace Abel Braga, but declined to comment on whom they might be targeting.

"There are all sorts of stories going around, which is normal, after our coach decided not to extend his contract," a club official said yesterday.

"Obviously we are looking for a replacement and we will do so in due course.

"We have a few shortlisted but we can't announce them until we come to some sort of agreement."

Braga, 58, announced he will be leaving the club at the end of the season after three years at the helm with the Abu Dhabi club after leading them to the Pro League and President's Cup double this season.

Braga said he will return to his native Brazil to be closer to his family and to coach the Brazilian side Fluminense.

The Brazilian arrived at Jazira on a one-year contract to take charge from Laszlo Boloni, the Romanian, who took them to second in the league.

Braga also took them to a second-place finish and was given a new two-year contract which expires next month.

And after leading them to the runner-up spot again last season, he was successful this season, becoming the first coach to win both the league and the cup, for the first time in the club's history.