Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr defeated Al-Ain 5-1 and the victory was enough to see former Chelsea and Inter Milan star Hernan Crespo sacked.
Undoubtedly one of the best strikers in the world during his playing days, Al Ain waved goodbye to their manager Hernan Crespo after the defeat to Al Nassr. The continental defeat left them at the bottom of their West Asia group with only two points from four matches.
Crespo’s team inability to win also extended their winless streak to four games, a span during which they have conceded a staggering 14 goals.
This stats led Al Ain’s leadership concluding that a managerial change was necessary to steer the team back on course.
In a formal statement, Al-Ain stated: “The outcome of this season was not in line with our ambitions. While we thank coach Crespo and his technical staff for their efforts and professionalism, the recent performances have fallen short of what we believe this team is capable of.”
Crespo took the reins at Al-Ain in November 2023 and had a notable run, leading the club to its second Asian Champions League title after defeating Japan’s Yokohama F. Marinos in a two-legged final, marking a high point in the Argentine tenure.
During their fairytale journey to the championship, they ousted Saudi powerhouses Al-Nassr and Al-Hilal along the way.
However, they’ve been inconsistent this season. In the UAE Pro League, they currently sit in eighth place with eight points from five games, trailing league leaders Shabab Al Ahli by 10 points.
Their struggles were also evident in the Intercontinental Cup, where they were eliminated after a disappointing 3-0 defeat to Al Ahly, the reigning African champions.
All in all, Crespo managed Al-Ain through 47 matches, amassing a record of 23 wins, six draws, and 18 losses. His replacement will be announced in the next few days.
