Article by Daniel Grigore – Published Tuesday, May 26, 2026, 2:03 p.m. / Updated Tuesday, May 26, 2026, 2:07 p.m.
It is unlikely that the Romanian Cosmin Olăroiu (56 years old) will continue on the bench of the United Arab Emirates national team. Two teams from the UAE, Al Jazira and Al Nasr, have already entered the wire.
In April 2025, Cosmin Olăroiu was installed as the United Arab Emirates coach, with the aim of qualifying the national team for the World Championship.
He failed, being eliminated by Iraq on the way to the intercontinental playoff, and is unlikely to continue on the national bench for the next World Cup cycle.
Olaroiu is still under contract with the Emirates Federation, but the Croatian press writes that the Vatreni selector, Zlatko Dalic, was offered to take the Romanian's place after participating in the World Championship.
Dalic, 59, has been at the helm of Croatia since 2017, which he made world runner-up in 2018 and took it to third place in 2022.
Cosmin Olăroiu, wanted by Al Nasr and Al Jazira
Two of the clubs from the Emirates, Al Jazira and Al Nasr, are trying to take advantage of this uncertainty, which are trying to get Olăroiu's signature.
Emarat Al Youm, a newspaper based in Dubai, writes that “Al Jazira is interested in bringing Olăroiu, but Al Nasr entered the race with a more consistent financial offer“. In this context, “Al Jazira could withdraw from the race because they do not want to enter an auction for his signature”.
Al Jazira finished the championship in 4th place, two positions above Al Nasr. Both teams are without a manager at the end of this season, but Al Jazira also have the option to extend with Dutch coach Marino Pusic.
Both Al Jazira and Al Nasr have 3 titles in their showcase, but won in completely different periods. Al Nasr, a club from Dubai, won those championships in the 20th century, while Al Jazira, a club from Abu Dhabi, did so this century, most recently in 2021.
Olăroiu also coached Al Ain, Shabab Al Ahli and Al Sharjah in the Emirates.
