Ex-Premier League star announced as manager of club that doesn't actually exist yet

A Premier League star with 194 appearances to his name has been appointed the new manager of a club who don't exist yet.

On Thursday, Al Qabila went viral with a video announcing their first ever coach - accruing millions of views across platforms like Instagram and TikTok.

The Dubai outfit, which will compete in the UAE Pro League, has been set up by 25-year-old footballer and TikTok sensation and content creator Daniyal Sheikh, who has 276,000 subscribers on YouTube.

The journey to founding the club and getting it off the ground has been documented in a series called "Building a Pro Football Club in 365 Days" and one of the latest TikToks centred on appointing the inaugural manager for the project.

The incredibly extravagant video ended with former Newcastle United defender Steven Taylor stepping out of a Mercedes SUV as dramatic music played,

The video cut to highlights of him playing for Newcastle, before he is seen shaking the hand of owner Varahram, who bigged up his 13-year Premier League career.

The 38-year-old, who also played for Ipswich Town, Peterborough United and Wellington Phoenix, managed Varahram at Gulf United.

He achieved back-to-back promotions with Gulf - a feat which had never been done before in UAE football.

After guiding them into UAE Division One, Taylor left by mutual consent in August 2023.

Praising the appointment to his co-owner, Varahram said: "This coach, his mentality is on a different level, he's been at the highest level of football - what else could you want?"

Speaking directly to the camera, Taylor stated: "Guys, I'm excited to be a part of the tribe. Let's take over."