Defending UAE League champions Al Wahda have appointed Brazilian Adenor Leonardo Bacchi as their coach until the end of the season.

Bacchi replaces Romanian Laszlo Boloni, who was sacked last week after a disappointing start to the season. The 49-year-old was previously in charge of Al Wahda's rivals Al Ain in 2007 before returning to Brazil to manage Internacional.

"I'm really happy to return to UAE as I have previously coached Al Ain," said Bacchi. "However, my time at Al Ain was short as I only coached them for a short period. Now I'll coach Al Wahda with just two rounds in the local league gone and this will help me devise a good plan for the team.

"Most of the players who won the league with Al Wahda last year are still here and this made me accept the challenge in addition to the participation of the team in the Club World Cup.

"My first game with the team will be against Al Jazira on 16 September and this game will be very tricky because both sides are good. I also know Al Jazira coach Abel Braga whom I replaced at Internacional in 2009."