Qatari coach Wissam Rizq is close to returning to the Iraqi Stars League through Zakho Club, in a new step that reflects the club's rising ambitions to establish its presence on the local and Gulf arenas, following its remarkable success last season. These negotiations with Rizq come after his previous experience in Iraq with Al-Quwa Al-Jawiya, which ended with his resignation after failing to advance beyond the group stage of the AFC Champions League 2, negatively impacting the team's results locally and leading to an early end to his journey there.

Zakho, which is preparing to participate in the Gulf Champions League, seeks to build a strong team capable of competing, and it seems that the management has placed its trust in Rizq due to his coaching vision that aligns with the club's project and ambitions, especially in light of its efforts to replicate the experience of coach Talal Al-Balushi, who left a clear mark during his time with the team.

Both parties have entered advanced negotiations and are close to a final agreement, with only some financial and technical details remaining to be resolved in the coming days.

Despite the availability of big coaching names in the local market such as Ayoub Oudichou and Basem Qassem, who signed with Erbil Club, Zakho's management preferred to turn again to the Qatari school, finding flexibility and alignment in ideas with Wissam Rizq, who expressed enthusiasm for the new experience, confirming his admiration for the club's project and the upcoming challenges that await him.

An official announcement of the contract is expected next week, marking the beginning of a new chapter for Zakho under Qatari coaching, hoping to achieve an exceptional season in various competitions.

This step comes after former coach Abdul Ghani Shahid left his position to take over Al-Zawraa, after successfully finishing last season with Zakho in third place in the league, continuing what Al-Balushi had started, prompting the management to search for a coach to continue building on the same approach, with Wissam Rizq being the closest choice for this task.