Dubai club Al-Ahli has hired former Valencia and Atletico Madrid coach Quique Sanchez Flores to replace fired Czech Ivan Hasek.

The Spaniard led Atletico to Europa League triumph and the Copa del Rey final in 2009. Sanchez Flores, a former Real Madrid defender, also previously coached Getafe and Valencia.

He replaces Hasek, who won the UAE league title with Al-Ahli in 2009 but has struggled with the team this year, despite spending heavily for several Brazilians, including striker Grafite from Wolfsburg. Al-Alhi has lost two of its first three matches and sits third from the bottom in the standings. Hasek was fired on Monday.