Al Sadd's coach Razvan Lucescu with players during a training session yesterday.
Doha, Qatar: The 2026-27 Qatar Stars League (QSL) season is set to unveil a fresh chapter, with clubs finalizing their coaching line-ups and intensifying pre-season preparations ahead of the August 20 kick-off.
While most clubs have opted for continuity by retaining their head coaches, three teams have made changes in a bid to strengthen their title ambitions.
Leading the way, the defending champions Al Sadd begin a new era under Romanian coach Razvan Lucescu.
The Wolves are currently holding a pre-season training camp in Linz, Austria, from July 13 to August 7, where Lucescu is leading an intensive programme featuring four friendly matches. Al Sadd began their preparations with a 2-1 defeat to Czech side SK Sigma Olomouc.
Al Sadd head into the new season after lifting the 2025-26 League title, their third consecutive crown and a record-extending 19th league championship, finishing on 45 points from 14 wins, three draws and five defeats.
The Wolves also produced the league's longest winning run of 10 matches, scoring 56 goals and conceding 30.
Lucescu has described Al Sadd as one of Asia's biggest clubs and said the team will compete for every title this season, including the AFC Champions League (ACL) Elite and the Amir Cup, while maintaining its attacking style of play.
Meanwhile, League runners-up Al Shamal have retained Spanish coach David Prats after he guided the club to a remarkable title challenge and secured its first-ever qualification for the ACL Elite. Prats, who took charge in December 2024, will now aim to build on that success.
Third-placed Al Rayyan have also kept Spanish coach Vicente Moreno, who led the club to its maiden Gulf Champions League title and the QSL Cup after taking over last March. The club will target the league title while preparing for its debut in the ACL Two.
Portuguese coach Pedro Martinez remains at Al Gharafa for a fifth straight season after leading the club to back-to-back Amir Cup titles and keeping it in the league title race until the closing rounds of last season.
Al Duhail have retained Algerian coach Jamal Belmadi despite finishing fifth last season. The club hopes to bounce back by challenging for the league title and making an impact in its first Gulf Champions League for Clubs campaign.
Qatar SC have also maintained continuity by keeping Spaniard Bartomeu Marquez Lopez for a second season after he guided the team to sixth place and an impressive first-half title challenge.
Qatar SC yesterday announceed the signing of Spanish player Albert Luque, as they continued their pre-season preparations in Spain.
Romanian Cosmin Contra continues at Al Arabi after improving the team's performances following his appointment in October 2025, with the club aiming to climb higher than last season's seventh-place finish.
Al Wakrah, who are currently training in France, have retained Chilean Jose Luis Sierra.
Sierra replaced Moreno last March, as the club looks to improve on its eighth-place finish and return to competing for honours.
Al Ahli are one of the clubs with a new coach, appointing Spaniard Borja Jimenez to replace Younes Ali after a ninth-place finish. Jimenez will take charge in his first coaching role in Qatar.
Promoted side Al Sailiya have renewed their confidence in Mirghani Al Zain, who guided the club back to the top flight before steering it to 10th place last season.
Al Shahania, who finished 11th, have appointed experienced coach Younes Ali to help the club avoid another relegation battle.
Ali has previously managed Al Arabi, Al Rayyan, Al Ahli and Al Markhiya, winning the Qatar-UAE Super Cup with Al Ahli and leading the club to the ACL Two semi-finals.
Newly promoted Lusail have retained Portuguese coach Emanuel Mesquita after he led the club to the Second Division title, earning promotion to the top flight for the first time in its history.
