Azenha resigns as Sharjah coach

Carlos Azenha resigned as coach of Sharjah Club yesterday citing personal reasons. He had only been at the club since June 15. The club's website stated that the surprise departure of Manuel Cajuda's successor was a result of his wife's illness. It was said Azenha had apologised and the club had fully understood his need to return to his native Portugal to be near his family. A source close to the club said: "This is quite sad for all concerned… and everybody's thoughts at the club are with him and his family. "He resigned on personal grounds. It's not as if this is the first managerial casualty of the season — it's nothing like that at all. No one is happy about the sad circumstances and it is not a perfect situation so close to the start of the season, but when something like this happens, football must come secondary — we all understand that."