This archive report was first published on 5 December 2019.
December 4, 2009, marked a significant moment in the career of Bert van Marwijk, as he spoke to the media after the draw for the 2010 World Cup in Cape Town.
Fast forward to 2022, and van Marwijk's tenure as head coach of the United Arab Emirates has come to an abrupt end. The country's football federation announced his sacking on Wednesday, following the team's elimination from the Gulf Cup.
The UAE's loss to Qatar in a group game on Tuesday sealed their fate, with both teams needing a win to advance to the semi-finals. Van Marwijk, a 67-year-old Dutch coach, had taken over the UAE earlier this year, having previously led Saudi Arabia to the finals of the 2018 World Cup in Russia.
Despite his impressive credentials, van Marwijk's tenure in the UAE has been marked by struggles in qualifying for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. The team currently sits in fourth place in their group, five points behind leaders Vietnam with a game in hand.
The UAE's next World Cup qualifier is scheduled for March 26, when they host Malaysia.
