QNB Stars League side Al Arabi have parted ways with head coach Heimir Hallgrimsson, the club announced on Monday. Hallgrimsson took over Al Arabi in 2018 after having served as the Iceland coach.
Hallgrimsson did not win a single piece of silverware in two and half years with Al Arabi, but led them to the Amir Cup final for the first time since 1994.
Under the Icelander, Al Arabi finished seventh in the recently-concluded QNB Stars League, while they were sixth in the previous season. Hallgrimsson had two Icelanders – Frey Alexandersson and Bjarki Már Ólafsson – assisting him at Al Arabi and they too are expected to leave their roles.
The 53-year-old Hallgrimsson thanked ‘all the people at Al Arabi for their support’ in a statement released by the club. “This has been an experience that I cherish and remember for the rest of my life,” he said.
“Learning to work in a different culture has been challenging but also developed me as a person and coach. I have been extremely lucky to have worked with so many good people at Al Arabi. I wish Saoud al-Jassim and his administration staff all the best in their difficult task of rebuilding the football (club) to it’s former glory,” Hallgrimsson signed off. 

Duhail opt not to extend Dudu stay

Al Duhail have not exercised the purchase option to sign Dudu permanently from Palmeiras, the Brazilian club said. Dudu was on loan at Al Duhail from Palmeiras on a one-year deal.
The Brazilian winger was Duhail’s leading scorer in the QNB Stars League with 14 goals with the club finishing runners-up behind Al Sadd.
Meanwhile, Al Rayyan bid farewell to Argentine centre back Gabriel Mercado, who has left the club after two years. In 2019-20, Mercado played a huge part as Al Rayyan finished runners-up in the league, missing out on the title on the final day.

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