Bahrain manager Dragan Talajic’s future has been thrown into doubt after he reportedly said goodbye to his players following the team’s heavy defeat by Yemen at Gulf Cup 27.
Bahrain were eliminated in the group stage after suffering a 5-2 loss against Yemen in their final group match. The result gave Yemen the biggest victory in their history in the Gulf Cup and ended Bahrain’s campaign in emphatic fashion.
Talajic is now the first manager to face a possible departure following the conclusion of one team’s participation in Gulf Cup 27, after the Croatian coach was reported to have taken leave of the squad immediately after the match.
Speaking on the sports programme Dawrina Ghair, sports broadcaster Fahad Al-Jardan said the Bahrain manager’s actions suggested his time in charge could be coming to an end.
“Croatian Dragan Talajic, the Bahrain national team coach, said goodbye to the players after the heavy defeat by Yemen and the team’s exit from the tournament,” Al-Jardan said.
The comments have increased uncertainty over whether Bahrain will formally announce Talajic’s departure in the coming hours. No official decision on the coach’s position was included in the report, but his farewell to the players has raised questions about the next step for the national team.
Bahrain’s defeat brought an abrupt end to a tournament campaign that had already reached its decisive stage. Yemen’s five-goal performance not only secured a landmark result for the side but also ensured Bahrain’s elimination from the competition.
Attention now turns to the four teams that have reached the semi-finals. Saudi Arabia will play Qatar at Al-Inma Stadium, while the United Arab Emirates will face Oman at Prince Abdullah Al-Faisal Sports City Stadium.
The two winners will meet in the final, which is scheduled to be played on Tuesday, 6th of this month.
For Bahrain, however, the consequences of the group-stage exit may extend beyond the result itself. The loss to Yemen has placed Talajic at the centre of speculation over a change in the coaching staff, with the reported farewell pointing towards a possible conclusion to his spell with the national team.