Hickersberger gets second spell as Bahrain coach

Published Jun. 3, 2010 2:25 p.m. ET

foxsports

Austrian Josef Hickersberger has been named as Bahrain's coach for the second time following the country's failure to reach the World Cup, the country's football association announced Thursday

The 62-year-old Hickersberger has signed a one-year deal and succeeds Czech Milan Macala, who left after Bahrain lost to New Zealand in a World Cup qualifying playoff tie last November.

Hickersberger, who previously took charge of Bahrain in 1996, led Al Wahda to the United Arab Emirates league title last season. He has previously managed several clubs in Europe and the Gulf region, and coached the Austrian national team at the 2008 European Championship.

He begins his new tenure with Bahrain on July 1. Officials on Thursday refused to divulge the terms.

Bahrain Football Association vice president Shaik Ali bin Khalifa al-Khalifa recently returned from Vienna where he and Hickersberger signed the agreement. Along with the new coach, authorities are bringing in support staff with the aim of finally qualifying for the World Cup.

``It's really a pleasure to have an experienced coach like Josef back in Bahrain and we believe that he has all it takes to improve the squad and guide the kingdom to new achievements,'' al-Khalifa said.