Dubai first division club Al-Wasl have chosen experienced French coach Guy Lacombe to take over from Brunu Metsu, who stood down last month due to illness.
Lacombe, who has been in charge of a host of top French club sides including Paris Saint-Germain, Monaco and Toulouse, will start his first match as coach in Friday's league match against Al-Jazira.
He has been out of a coaching job since January, 2011 when he was sacked by Monacop after a run of poor results.
Metsu, who has been in hospital since October 9 with an undisclosed illness, replaced Argentina legend Diego Maradona in July after a series of poor results.
Well-travelled Lacombe had a 14-year career as a midfielder before turning to coaching in 1987 and most famously had a spell with Senegal between 2000 and 2002 when he led the "Lions of Teranga" to the 2002 World Cup quarter-finals.