F.A - ABU DHABI, A spate of poor results and a bitter row over striker Faisal Khalil has led to the dismissal of Al Ahli coach Ilie Balaci on Friday.
 
The Romanian becomes the second major casualty in the Emirates league after the sacking of Frenchman Alain Perrin from Al Ain earlier in the season.
 
Balaci’s termination was announced even before their home clash over Al Wasl, which Al Ahli won 1-0. The players rushed to the coach in an emotional show of gratitude following a 75th minute goal but nothing could have changed the decision taken at the board room of the club.
 
Balaci led Al Ahli to this season’s FA Cup final, which they lost in a penalty shoot out to Al Ain. He led them to the President’s Cup title and second place in the league last season.
 
Al Ahli are once looking to the club’s Sudanese youth coach Fawzy Al Taiesha to come in as caretaker but an agreement hasn’t been reached.
 
Taiesha said he had been asked to do the caretaker’s job over the past five years whenever the club fired the coach. “This time I have put my terms and we haven’t reached an agreement so far.�
 
Al Ahli jumped two places in the league table following Friday’s victory and are six points adrift of leaders Al Jazira at the end of the 10th round.