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Guardiola & Ribery confirmed for Dubai Sports event
Bayern Munich manager Pep Guardiola and one of his star players Franck Ribery have confirmed their attendance at next month's 8th Dubai International Sports Conference.
Organised by the Dubai Sports Council under the patronage of Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, the event has become a regular fixture for some of football’s biggest names.
Taking place across December 28 and 29, Guardiola will join a special panel discussion – chaired by Russian national team boss Fabio Capello – along with three other top managers, whose names will be revealed in the coming weeks.
Mohammed Al Kamali, Head of the Organising Committee, said: “This session will be a unique one in the history of football anywhere in the world wherein a top coach will supervise a discussion involving four other top coaches from across the world.”
Guardiola has made an impressive start to life at Bayern Munich having replaced Jupp Heynckes in the summer. The European champions are top of the Bundesliga table and have already booked their place in the last 16 of the Champions League with two group games to spare.
Capped 45 times by Spain, Guardiola previously added to his lengthy list of achievements as a player by guiding Barcelona to three La Liga titles, two Copa del Reys, two Champions League crowns as well as also winning the FIFA World Club Cup on two occasions.
Meanwhile, Ribery - the reigning UEFA Player of the Year - has been confirmed as a special guest for Globe Soccer, which is part of the Dubai International Sports Conference.
Sport360 were exclusively informed by Globe Soccer chief Tomasso Bendoni that at least one of Ribery, Cristiano Ronaldo, and Xavi Hernandez would be attending next month's event.
And following the announcement, the France and Bayern midfielder is the player set to appear at December's conference.
"Frank Ribéry confirmed his attendance as guest of honor of the next edition of Globe Soccer!" Globe Soccer announced on their official Facebook page.
Ribery was a vital component of Bayern's treble-winning side last season and his efforts have been recognised by a nomination for the annual Ballon d'Or award, for which he is favourite to win.
Designed to boost sport in the region through the enlisting the expertise of proven winners, the annual conference is now well established in the global sporting calendar.
Al Kamali added: “At the Dubai Sports Council it is always our endeavour to bring the best to Dubai so that we can sustain our name as the sporting capital of the Middle East.
“It is events like these that can help set the tone of professionalism in the UAE and the region.”
Last year’s conference had high-profile personalities including Chelsea coach Jose Mourinho, UEFA President Michel Platini, FC Barcelona President Sandro Rosell, Atletico Madrid CEO Miguel Angel Gil Marin and the legendary Argentine footballer, Diego Maradona, who is also an ambassador for the Dubai Sports Council.
Capello, meanwhile, is in Dubai this week with his Russia team taking on Serbia on Friday, November 15, before facing South Korea four days later.
Both games take place at Al Ahli’s Rashid Stadium and will feature a host of big-name players from Europe and Asia.
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