Jamal Al Haj Explained

Jamal Al Haj
Birth Date:28 August 1971
Currentclub:Ahed
Position:Midfielder
Years1:1989–2004
Clubs1:Nejmeh
Years2:2004
Clubs2:Ahed
Nationalyears1:1993
Nationalteam1:Lebanon
Nationalcaps1:2
Nationalgoals1:0
Manageryears1:2013
Managerclubs1:Khoyol
Manageryears2:2017
Managerclubs2:Nejmeh
Manageryears3:2020–2021
Managerclubs3:Lebanon U23
Manageryears4:2021–2023
Managerclubs4:Ahed (youth technical director)
Manageryears5:2024–
Managerclubs5:Ahed

Jamal Al Haj (Arabic: جمال الحاج; born 28 August 1971) is a Lebanese football manager and former player who is the head coach of club Ahed.

Al Haj played for Nejmeh as a midfielder, whom he captained, as well as for the Lebanon national team. He was the Lebanese Premier League top scorer in his debut season, in 1989–90, scoring 12 goals. Al Haj also played for Ahed in 2004.

In 2017 he managed Nejmeh, but was fired two months later. Al Haj took charge of the Lebanon national under-23 team between 2020 and 2021. In 2024, he was appointed head coach of Ahed.

Club career

Al Haj made his debut for Nejmeh under Samir Al Adou, during the 1989–90 Lebanese Premier League.[1] In his debut season, Al Haj was the league's top scorer, with 12 goals, above Fadi Alloush and Yasser Mansour from Tadamon Beirut who had scored eight goals each. He remained at Nejmeh for 14 years, captaining them for a certain period, before moving to Ahed in 2004.[2]

International career

Al Haj played for the Lebanon national team.

Managerial career

Al Haj was manager of Lebanese Second Division side Khoyol in 2013.[3] [4] Ahead of the 2017–18 season, Al Haj was appointed head coach of Nejmeh;[5] he was fired two months later. On 12 October 2020, Al Haj was announced head coach of the Lebanon national under-23 team.[6] He resigned on 26 July 2021.[7]

On 3 August 2021, Al Haj was appointed technical director of Ahed's youth sector and remained in this position for two years.[8] Al Hajj returned to Ahed as a head coach, in August 2024 and prior to the 2024–25 Lebanese Premier League. [9]

Personal life

Al Haj has two sons, Youssef (b. 1999) and Ali (b. 2001), who both play football.[10]

Honours

Player

Nejmeh

Individual

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: 2020-06-02. الحاج هدّافاً في أوّل موسم رسميّ له. 2020-08-30. نداء الوطن. en.
  2. Web site: JAMAL AL HAJE. 26 March 2019. www.abdogedeon.com.
  3. Web site: 2020-11-07. تحدّي النبي شيت. 2021-04-13. نداء الوطن. en.
  4. Web site: سبورتينغ في الدرجة الأولى.. من هو؟ وكيف وصل؟. 2021-04-13. lebanonfg.com. en.
  5. News: 21 September 2017. جمال الحاج: النجمة يسير في الطريق الصحيح - نمر جبر. An-Nahar. 4 December 2018.
  6. Web site: Mahfoud. Maroun. 2020-10-12. Official: Jamal Al Hajj is the new U-22 National Team coach. 2020-10-12. FA Lebanon. en-GB.
  7. Web site: جمال الحاج يستقيل. 2021-07-28. lebanonfg.com. en.
  8. Web site: Hijazi. Alloffs. 2021-08-03. الحاج يبدأ مهامه الاشراف الفني على الفئات العمرية في نادي العهد. 2021-08-09. El Maestro Sport. ar.
  9. https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=976674794470386&set=a.463566505781220
  10. Web site: Nejmeh accentue la pression sur le Ahed - Tony Hayek. Hayek. Tony. 7 March 2018. L'Orient-Le Jour. fr. 29 January 2019.