There was little doubt, but this Monday confirmed what was expected: David Prats has been named the best coach of the season in Qatar. The 47-year-old Spanish tactician edged out Roberto Mancini in the voting, a far more high-profile coach who won the title with Al Sadd. However, Prats’ achievements with the modest Al Shamal carried far greater weight, and the QSL experts recognized as much.
Prats has made history in Qatar this year. Never before had Al Shamal, a humble club whose best previous finish was sixth last season—already under the Badalona-born coach—fought for the league title until the final matchday against Al Sadd. The Qatari giants ultimately claimed the championship, boasting stars like Firmino, Claudinho, Saïss, and Afif in their ranks.
Prats’ name is inevitably linked to Xavi Hernández, with whom he worked at both Al Sadd and Barcelona as an analyst of opponents. He was a key figure in tactical preparation, an identity he now defines as a head coach. “When we finished at Barça, Xavi said he wanted to rest, but if we wanted to continue somewhere else, there was no problem,” Prats explained to this newspaper a few weeks ago. He brought his colleagues Toni Lobo and Sergio García—both former Xavi assistants—to Al Shamal.