Let go by the Arabian Gulf League leaders in March, and having then agreed by month’s end to join the league champions, Rodolfo Arruabarrena has spent the time since in limbo.
The Argentine had expected to be preparing to begin work this summer at Sharjah, his stock still high despite his shock dismissal by Shabab Al Ahli Dubai, but a change in administration not long after he signed has left him betwixt and between.
Sharjah’s new board opted to retain Abdulaziz Al Anbari, the manager who guided the club last season to a first UAE championship in 23 seasons, and thus Arruabarrena’s situation remains unresolved.
There have been talks regarding closure and compensation on a deal that was due to begin on July 1, but up to now, no settlement. Until there is, Arruabarrena continues to be separated from family, who reside in Spain.
Simply, he wants his professional circumstances reconciled so he can resume his personal life. He insists there’s no ill feeling towards Sharjah – just a desire to get back to Spain before moving forward with his career.
"It's a weird situation for the new administration and also for me," Arruabarrena tells The National from his Dubai apartment. "Because they arrived to find a contract they didn't think they had.
“And for me it was also bad because, at the time, I chose Sharjah over two other offers. One, I don’t have any more, and the other one is not so good now in terms of the sporting aspect. So I've lost out on them.
“The people that brought me the Sharjah offer have sat down twice in the last two months with part of the club’s administration. It’s normal: one party defends the club; the other defends the staff and me. They’re speaking to meet in the middle, to get the best agreement for the club and for me.
“But, until now, only two meetings and discussing. If I don’t arrange something or not, my idea was on July 1 to be in Spain with my family. I just want to be there with them.”
Arruabarrena, 44, says his representatives last spoke to Sharjah at the beginning of this week. Around the end of last month, he emailed the club to let know that, a month out from his original start date, he was nevertheless putting plans in place for preparing the team for this summer even though he realises he won't be working there.
“On Sunday, there was a meeting; they made an offer, we listened to the offer, we said what we think, and now we are waiting,” Arruabarrena says. “It’s a difficult situation, because I can’t go to see my family, to help my wife, and I’m here the last three months without seeing them. At the moment the Covid-19 [crisis] was at its peak, three of my children were in Spain – two studying Madrid, one in Villarreal – and my small son was on a school trip in France. He could not fly to Spain.
“So my wife was alone to manage all these situations – it wasn’t easy for her. But I didn’t have options to go to Spain; I had to stay here to decide the future.
"As I said, it’s a tough situation for both parties, and because of that they’re trying to speak to get the best agreement for all. Each one needs to protect their side, which is normal. For me, living here is comfortable; it’s a city I love, a country I love. But I miss my family. That’s natural.”
Arruabarrena’s reputation within the UAE sustains. Having led Al Wasl to a runner-up finish in his debut season in the Arabian Gulf League and then third the next year – a tenure that included two cup-final defeats – he joined Shabab Al Ahli in October 2018 and guided the Dubai side to a runner-up finish. They also lifted the President’s Cup and the Arabian Gulf Cup.
At the time Arruabarrena was dismissed this season, Shabab Al Ahli were top of the table, three points clear of second. Two months before, they lost the Arabian Gulf Cup final.
While his situation with Sharjah is unclear, Arruabarrena continues to attract interest from clubs inside and outside the UAE, but he hasn't considered any offers. First, he needs to straighten out everything with Sharjah.
“This is my personal preference,” he says. “I decided not to make a negotiation with another club because I wanted first of all to finish this with Sharjah.
“And in case this doesn’t happen, I have to wait until July 1 when the contract starts to feel free to start listening or sitting down with another club. Because if not, it’s going to speak badly of me. It would be rude from my side to Sharjah. It’s my way of life to do like that.
“But it’s true: today I’m thinking only of finishing this negotiation with Sharjah in a good way and go have a vacation with my family."
Despite everything, Arruabarrena has used lockdown to refine his coaching, speaking via Zoom to peers in Europe, running his eye over the latest software that he and his staff can utilise whenever they do return to work.
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UAE stadium voted second most picturesque
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Given the dearth of live football, he’s been enjoying old matches on TV. In particular, those involving former players.
“It’s been fun watching matches from 2010, 2015,” Arruabarrena says. “I saw Walid Abbas playing for Al Shabab, [Abdulaziz] Haikal with the national team, Ismail [Al Hammadi] in the Olympic team.
“I’ve lived alone for most of the last four years, so it’s nothing new. And I respect all the rules the government implemented during this time; I don’t go out a lot anyway.
"One problem I’ve had is cooking, because usually I eat out close to my apartment. But now the restaurants have reopened, I’m there all the time. They’ve got used to seeing me again.”
For now, Arruabarrena is intent on seeing family, even if he laughs they might not feel the same because of his demand for discipline at home. Jokes aside, the situation with Sharjah and the coronavirus crisis has reinforced life’s priorities.
“There were two weeks when my wife and my youngest child were in Valencia, my two daughters in Madrid and my son in France,” he says. “Those two weeks were very difficult because Madrid was one of the cities with the most Covid cases, so it was tough for my wife alone trying to get my daughters back home.
“Thankfully they didn’t have any symptoms, any trouble, and now they’re all together at my house in Valencia. Maybe now Spain is coming out of the crisis, I feel they don’t want me there, since they know they’ll be in trouble because I’m very strict with my family. What time they wake up, when to study - I’m over them all the time.
“But the best thing today is to get an agreement with Sharjah and not let it drag on and waste everybody’s time, for the club and me to agree before something else can happen and then I can go in July to see my family.
“Although these things are happening, Sharjah’s a club that I like, that’s why I agreed to sign: because of the players, the fans, the history. So the best thing now is to sort something. I don’t know what will happen, but this is the best outcome.”
Info
What: 11th edition of the Mubadala World Tennis Championship
When: December 27-29, 2018
Confirmed: men: Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, Kevin Anderson, Dominic Thiem, Hyeon Chung, Karen Khachanov; women: Venus Williams
Tickets: www.ticketmaster.ae, Virgin megastores or call 800 86 823
RACE CARD
6.30pm: Al Maktoum Challenge Round-3 – Group 1 (PA) $65,000 (Dirt) 2,000m
7.05pm: Handicap (TB) $65,000 (Turf) 1,800m
7.40pm: Meydan Classic – Listed (TB) $88,000 (T) 1,600m
8.15pm: Nad Al Sheba Trophy – Group 3 (TB) $195,000 (T) 2,810m
8.50pm: Dubai Millennium Stakes – Group 3 (TB) $130,000 (T) 2,000m
9.25pm: Meydan Challenge – Listed Handicap (TB) $88,000 (T) 1,400m
Need to know
The flights: Flydubai flies from Dubai to Kilimanjaro airport via Dar es Salaam from Dh1,619 return including taxes. The trip takes 8 hours.
The trek: Make sure that whatever tour company you select to climb Kilimanjaro, that it is a reputable one. The way to climb successfully would be with experienced guides and porters, from a company committed to quality, safety and an ethical approach to the mountain and its staff. Sonia Nazareth booked a VIP package through Safari Africa. The tour works out to $4,775 (Dh17,538) per person, based on a 4-person booking scheme, for 9 nights on the mountain (including one night before and after the trek at Arusha). The price includes all meals, a head guide, an assistant guide for every 2 trekkers, porters to carry the luggage, a cook and kitchen staff, a dining and mess tent, a sleeping tent set up for 2 persons, a chemical toilet and park entrance fees. The tiny ration of heated water provided for our bath in our makeshift private bathroom stall was the greatest luxury. A standard package, also based on a 4-person booking, works out to $3,050 (Dh11,202) per person.
When to go: You can climb Kili at any time of year, but the best months to ascend are January-February and September-October. Also good are July and August, if you’re tolerant of the colder weather that winter brings.
Do not underestimate the importance of kit. Even if you’re travelling at a relatively pleasant time, be geared up for the cold and the rain.
Roll%20of%20Honour%2C%20men%E2%80%99s%20domestic%20rugby%20season
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Griselda
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Company%20Profile
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Yahya Al Ghassani's bio
Date of birth: April 18, 1998
Playing position: Winger
Clubs: 2015-2017 – Al Ahli Dubai; March-June 2018 – Paris FC; August – Al Wahda
England v South Africa Test series:
First Test: at Lord's, England won by 211 runs
Second Test: at Trent Bridge, South Africa won by 340 runs
Third Test: at The Oval, July 27-31
Fourth Test: at Old Trafford, August 4-8
UAE v Gibraltar
What: International friendly
When: 7pm kick off
Where: Rugby Park, Dubai Sports City
Admission: Free
Online: The match will be broadcast live on Dubai Exiles’ Facebook page
UAE squad: Lucas Waddington (Dubai Exiles), Gio Fourie (Exiles), Craig Nutt (Abu Dhabi Harlequins), Phil Brady (Harlequins), Daniel Perry (Dubai Hurricanes), Esekaia Dranibota (Harlequins), Matt Mills (Exiles), Jaen Botes (Exiles), Kristian Stinson (Exiles), Murray Reason (Abu Dhabi Saracens), Dave Knight (Hurricanes), Ross Samson (Jebel Ali Dragons), DuRandt Gerber (Exiles), Saki Naisau (Dragons), Andrew Powell (Hurricanes), Emosi Vacanau (Harlequins), Niko Volavola (Dragons), Matt Richards (Dragons), Luke Stevenson (Harlequins), Josh Ives (Dubai Sports City Eagles), Sean Stevens (Saracens), Thinus Steyn (Exiles)
India Test squad
Virat Kohli (c), Mayank Agarwal, Rohit Sharma, Cheteshwar Pujara, Ajinkya Rahane, Hanuma Vihari, Rishabh Pant (wk), Wriddhiman Saha (wk), Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Shami, Umesh Yadav, Ishant Sharma, Shubman Gill
The specs
Engine: 4-litre twin-turbo V8
Transmission: nine-speed
Power: 542bhp
Torque: 700Nm
Price: Dh848,000
On sale: now
RESULT
Manchester City 1 Sheffield United 0
Man City: Jesus (9')
THE BIO
Born: Mukalla, Yemen, 1979
Education: UAE University, Al Ain
Family: Married with two daughters: Asayel, 7, and Sara, 6
Favourite piece of music: Horse Dance by Naseer Shamma
Favourite book: Science and geology
Favourite place to travel to: Washington DC
Best advice you’ve ever been given: If you have a dream, you have to believe it, then you will see it.
3%20Body%20Problem
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECreators%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20David%20Benioff%2C%20D%20B%20Weiss%2C%20Alexander%20Woo%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarring%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EBenedict%20Wong%2C%20Jess%20Hong%2C%20Jovan%20Adepo%2C%20Eiza%20Gonzalez%2C%20John%20Bradley%2C%20Alex%20Sharp%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%203%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
UK-EU trade at a glance
EU fishing vessels guaranteed access to UK waters for 12 years
Co-operation on security initiatives and procurement of defence products
Youth experience scheme to work, study or volunteer in UK and EU countries
Smoother border management with use of e-gates
Cutting red tape on import and export of food
The five pillars of Islam
1. Fasting
2. Prayer
3. Hajj
4. Shahada
5. Zakat
Labour dispute
The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.
- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
The specs
- Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
- Power: 640hp
- Torque: 760nm
- On sale: 2026
- Price: Not announced yet
More from Rashmee Roshan Lall
Gothia Cup 2025
4,872 matches
1,942 teams
116 pitches
76 nations
26 UAE teams
15 Lebanese teams
2 Kuwaiti teams
ELIO
Starring: Yonas Kibreab, Zoe Saldana, Brad Garrett
Directors: Madeline Sharafian, Domee Shi, Adrian Molina
Rating: 4/5
Our legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
HUNGARIAN GRAND PRIX RESULT
1. Sebastian Vettel, Ferrari 1:39:46.713
2. Kimi Raikkonen, Ferrari 00:00.908
3. Valtteri Bottas, Mercedes-GP 00:12.462
4. Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes-GP 00:12.885
5. Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing 00:13.276
6. Fernando Alonso, McLaren 01:11.223
7. Carlos Sainz Jr, Toro Rosso 1 lap
8. Sergio Perez, Force India 1 lap
9. Esteban Ocon, Force India 1 lap
10. Stoffel Vandoorne, McLaren 1 lap
11. Daniil Kvyat, Toro Rosso 1 lap
12. Jolyon Palmer, Renault 1 lap
13. Kevin Magnussen, Haas 1 lap
14. Lance Stroll, Williams 1 lap
15. Pascal Wehrlein, Sauber 2 laps
16. Marcus Ericsson, Sauber 2 laps
17r. Nico Huelkenberg, Renault 3 laps
r. Paul Di Resta, Williams 10 laps
r. Romain Grosjean, Haas 50 laps
r. Daniel Ricciardo, Red Bull Racing 70 laps
Brief scoreline:
Crystal Palace 2
Milivojevic 76' (pen), Van Aanholt 88'
Huddersfield Town 0
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
RESULT
Brazil 2 Croatia 0
Brazil: Neymar (69'), Firmino (90' 3)
Global state-owned investor ranking by size
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
