Katanec signed a two-year deal with the Gulf nation, but the details of his contract were undisclosed.

The 45-year-old succeeds Frenchman Dominique Batheny, who failed to impress during his short spell with the Emirate team.

Katanec, who played against the UAE in Yugoslavia's 4-1 win at the 1990 World Cup, led Slovenia to the EURO 2000 and the 2002 World Cup finals.