Doha, July 23 (QNA) - Al Sadd SC announced the appointment of Spanish coach Felix Sanchez to lead the first football team starting from the 2024-2025 season.

In a statement on Tuesday, the club stated that Sanchez has signed a two-year contract, which will run until the summer of 2026.

He is set to begin his duties with the team during their preparatory camp currently being held in Malaga, Spain, which will continue until July 29.

The 48-year-old Sanchez began his coaching career as the coach of the under-19 team at Barcelona's academy from 1996 to 2006, after which he moved to work at Aspire Academy. He has also coached various Qatari national teams, including the under-17, under-19, and under-23 teams, before taking charge of the Qatari senior national team in July 2017, succeeding Uruguayan Jorge Fossati. Sanchez's first match as head coach of the national team was a friendly against Andorra on August 16, held in England.

Sanchez led the Qatari youth team to victory in the AFC U-19 Championship in Myanmar in 2014, defeating North Korea in the final with a goal by Akram Afif. He also reached the final of the AFC U-23 Championship in China with the Qatari Olympic team.

Sanchez's most notable achievement came when he guided the Qatari senior national team to win the AFC Asian Cup for the first time in 2019, defeating Japan 3-1 in the final. Additionally, he led the team to the semifinals of the CONCACAF Gold Cup in 2021. (QNA)