Zakho has contracted Qatari coach Wisam Rizq to lead the team in the upcoming season within the Iraqi Stars League and the Gulf Champions League for clubs 2025-2026, in a new step aimed at continuing the impressive results the club has achieved in recent seasons. The club announced through its official accounts the signing of the contract, indicating that Rizq has coaching experience in Qatar and previously led Al-Quwa Al-Jawiya of Iraq.

The challenges awaiting the Qatari coach are numerous, the most prominent of which is compensating for the departure of Talal Al-Balushi, who left a clear mark with the team after leading it to occupy advanced positions in the past two seasons and guiding it to a distinguished continental participation. Rizq will seek to match or surpass the achievements of his compatriot by competing strongly in the Gulf Champions League, alongside advancing in the standings of the Iraqi Stars League.

Rizq also faces a personal challenge represented by erasing the image associated with his previous period in the Iraqi league when he resigned from coaching Al-Quwa Al-Jawiya before the end of the first half of the season due to declining results. This time, the atmosphere seems more positive in Zakho thanks to the support of the administration and the backing of the fans, which gives him a greater opportunity to showcase his technical and tactical abilities.

On the other hand, the transfer file will be under scrutiny, as Rizq must be more precise in his selections, especially after his previous experience with Al-Jawiya witnessed contracts that did not achieve the desired success. As the team’s roster for the new season nears completion, some positions still need reinforcement before the competitions begin.

The club's management has succeeded in keeping midfielder Amjad Attwan for the third consecutive season, in a step that confirms Zakho's desire to maintain its technical and physical stability in preparation for a season full of challenges.