Ajax's loss is Rayyan's gain

Bengaluru, August 22: Ajax's loss is Al Rayyan's gain! Danish legend Michael Laudrup, who currently coaches Qatar's Al Rayyan club was not long ago touted as a possible replacement for Ajax Amsterdam's Peter Bosz.

Ajax had sacked Bosz at the end of the summer and club Sports Director Marc Overmar was keen on having Laudrup as the replacement.

Bosz was unable to lead Ajax to the Champions League group stage after their 2-5 aggregate defeat to Russian side FC Rostov.

The Dutch side also lost to Manchester United 0-2 in Europa League final in Stockholm in May.

After Bosz joined Bundesliga side Borussia Dortmund on June 6, Overmars had hoped to hire Laudrup, who played at the club in 1997-98.

But according to a report which appeared in Danish website www.tipsbladet.dk, former goalkeeper and club's Chief Executive Officer Edwin van der Sar and assistant coach Dennis Bergkamp overruled Overmars and signed Marcel Keizer on a two-year deal.

Laudrup, who during his stellar player career is one of the few to be admired by both La Liga giants Barcelona and Real Madrid, is currently into his second season with Qatar's Rayyan.

It is his second stint with a Qatari club. Previously, he had coached former Qatar Stars League champions Lekhwiya.