Rajevac, who guided Ghana to the last eight of the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, rejected an extended deal with the Black Stars to take up the coach's job with Saudi side Al Ahli last September but suddenly quit earlier this week citing family problems.

"We are pleased to announce Milovan Rajevac as Qatar's coach," Qatar football federation president Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa bin Ahmed al-Thani said.

"He has done very well with Ghana and we are confident Qatar will do well under him," Sheikh Hamad told journalists at a press conference.

Rajevac, 56, played as a defender for Red Star Belgrade and New York Arrows before coaching several teams in his country. He was offered the top job by Ghana in 2008. Ghana lost to Uruguay in the quarter-finals of the World Cup last year.

"I am pleased to take up the Qatar offer," Rajevac said. "Qatar will host the World Cup in 2022 and it will be an honour to work here."

Metsu's sacking had led to speculation that Qatar were looking for a high profile coach, with media reports in Spain saying even Barcelona's Pep Guardiola was approached with a lucrative offer.