Abdul-Wahab Abu Al-Hail Labid Al-Zirjawi (Arabic: عبد الوهاب أبو الهيل لابد الزيرجاوي; born 21 December 1975) is an Iraqi professional football manager and former player who has been the head coach of Iraqi club Naft Al-Basra SC.
Club career
Abu Al-Hail started his career by playing for Al-Talaba in Iraq. He has also played for Al-Shaab of the UAE. In 2003, he moved to the Iranian Pro League club Esteghlal Ahvaz. After three seasons he joined the Esfahani club Sepahan. And stayed there for another 3 season where he won the Hazfi Cup once during his time and played many matches in ACL and CWC. He moved to Foolad for 2009–10 season but he was rejected by the new coach Majid Jalali.
Abu Al-Hail started his career with Al Talaba in 1992.[2][3] He left the club in 1999, moving to Al-Akhaa Al-Ahli of Lebanon,[2][3][4] and then to Al-Shaab of the United Arab Emirates.[2][3] In 2003, he moved to Iran, playing for Esteghlal Ahvaz, Sepahan and Foolad.[2][3] While at Esteghlal, Abu Al-Hail was given the captain's armband: it was the first time in the history of the Iranian league that a foreign player had become captain.[3]
International career
Abdul-Wahab Abou Al-Hail was a key member of the Iraqi national team and one of the most coveted in Iraqi football.[4] A jewel in the midfield, equipped with remarkable ball control, accurate passing, shooting and is particularly threatening at free-kicks.[4] His coach Milan Zivadinovic once described him as 'Our Ronaldo', due to his importance to the side and his short 'Ronaldoesque' hair cut.[4] He came onto the international scene during the Nehru Cup in 1997, missing a penalty in the shoot-out win over India.[4]
Abu Al-Hail started his managerial career at Al-Talaba in 2013, remaining in charge until 2015.[2] In December 2016,[5] Abu Al-Hail became the head coach of his former club Akhaa Ahli Aley, in the Lebanese Premier League,[6] for the 2016–17 season.[2] In his second season as head coach, he finished fourth in the league.[6] On 21 January 2020, he was appointed head coach of Ansar.[2][7] He resigned on 20 March 2020, following Ansar's 2–2 draw to Safa.[8]
On 21 April 2021, Abu Al-Hail was appointed head coach of Zakho in Iraq.[9]
Career statistics
Club
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition