Former Egypt coach Shehata is Qatari club’s new coach

Former Egypt coach Hassan Shehata has signed a one-year deal with Al-Arabi of the Qatar Stars League.

Shehata replaces outgoing coach Pierre Lechantre and is expected to be on the touchline Thursday for the team’s match against Umm Salal.

Arabi is languishing in eighth place in the 12-team league with only two points after three matches.

Shehata led the Pharaohs to those three successive African Cup of Nations titles but he was replaced last year by former United States Coach Bob Bradley after the team failed to qualify for the tournament for the first time in more than 30 years.

He then was hired to coach Egyptian giants Zamalek but the league shut down last year after riots at a football match killed 74 people.

Initial reports have surfaced last week indicating Shehata will be joining Qatari club Arabi as their new coach when the team released a statement on their website saying negotiations are set to happen regarding the coaching issue.