Fouad Hijazi is back as manager of Bourj FC

Lebanese club Bourj FC finished fourth the 2023-2024 season, but found themselves in deep trouble when their owner and president, Fadi Nasser, decided to walk away at the end of the season, leaving the club with almost no financial support for the upcoming 2024-2025 season.

Such a traditional club would not simply die, and many members and staff within the club have searched for a solution, and some things have happened. While a single solution has not been found, it seems that the club might survive due to several potential sources of income. The club has a new administration, and this week the names of the technical staff have been provided.

2024-2025 staff members of Bourj FC, with Fouad Hijazi, the new manager, third from the left. Photo source: elmaestrosport.com

The new manager is Fouad Hijazi, and this is no surprise. His name has been already mentioned several times as the possible, then probable, new Bourj FC manager. He is actually back at Bourj FC as manager, a job he had not long ago, as he was full manager between November 2020 and June 2022, as well as assistant manager between 2018 and 2020. He is therefore linked to some of the greatest achievements the club had during that period: the promotion to the Premier League in 2019, the winning of the Challenge Cup in two occasions (2019 and 2021), the third place in the Premier League (the best ever) at the end of the 2021-2022 season.

His assistant manager will be Mohamed Mortada, while Nazih Tai will continue his job as goalkeepers' coach. Abbas Ali Atwi "Onika" will remain as sporting director and team manager. Former club secretary Hamad Rahal has become the new club director, while Ali Abbas Rahal has been appointed as club secretary.

Training will start on Monday, 19 August, with whatever players remained, and in the following weeks it is most important to sign as many players as possible, to have a decent squad for the upcoming season. 

Since 2019, when Fadi Nasser took over Bourj FC, the club has had a wonderful time, playing almost always in the upper half of the Lebanese Premier League, fighting for the podium against the big names of Lebanese football. It is a pity that Fadi Nasser decided to withdraw, but the club must find the necessary resources to continue and to remain one of the relevant clubs in the Lebanese Premier League.