Al Dhafra have moved fast. The club has named French coach Patrice Carteron as their new head coach, hoping he can stop their slide in the Adnoc Pro League. Al Dhafra have struggled this season, sitting near the bottom with just one win so far.
Carteron's appointment came quickly. The club ended its deal with Croatian coach Alen Horvat after five league games. Under Horvat, Al Dhafra won only once-a tight 2-1 win over Hatta. They lost four times, falling to Sharjah, Shabab Al Ahli, Khorfakkan, and Al Wahda. The stats are clear: three points from fifteen, three goals scored, nine conceded. Africa Soccer reported that Carteron's hiring was made official on September 22, 2026. The club said they trust him to meet their goals.
Al Dhafra did not disclose the duration or financial terms of Patrice Carteron's contract upon his appointment as head coach.
The decision came after a 1-3 home loss to Baniyas in the first leg of the Pro League Cup's opening round. That defeat sped up the search for a new coach. Now, Al Dhafra are counting on Carteron, who is 56 and brings deep experience from Arab and Gulf football. He has managed Al Ahly and Zamalek in Egypt, Al Taawoun and Al Ettifaq in Saudi Arabia, Umm Salal in Qatar, Mazembe in DR Congo, and Raja Casablanca in Morocco. He has a record of winning trophies. Africa Soccer noted that Al Dhafra welcomed Carteron and his staff, wishing them success in reaching the club's targets.
Carteron will start training the team right away. His job is to steady the squad and get them out of the relegation zone. The urgency is clear. Other UAE clubs have also made quick coaching changes this season, like Baniyas, who brought in a new coach after a poor start, as reported earlier this season. Goal.com says Al Dhafra are now 12th out of 14 teams, with 3 points from 5 matches, 3 goals scored, and 9 conceded.
Al Dhafra's move for Carteron shows they will not settle for poor results. The season is still young. Carteron's experience in the region and his ability to handle pressure give the club hope. If he can bring discipline and clear tactics, Al Dhafra could still fight their way up the table. The club's quick action and choice of a proven coach show a focus on results and accountability. For Al Dhafra, there are no more excuses. The Carteron era starts now, and the goal is simple: revival.
Al Dhafra's poor start to the season included a 0-1 defeat to Al Wahda, with the decisive goal conceded in the 81st minute. Earlier in the campaign, the team found itself at the bottom of the table with no points, highlighting the urgency behind the coaching change.
