Macala will be the third coach to take over the Gulf national side in less than 12 months after German Hans-Peter Briegel and Bosnian coach Kreso Senad.

The 63-year-old manager was surprisingly sacked by Oman after the 18th Gulf Cup in the UAE this year, despite leading them to the final match of the competition for the second successive time.

The Czech tactician is scheduled to be formally introduced to the media by the Bahrain Football Association (BFA) later on Tuesday in Manama.

His first major task will be to lead Bahrain in the 2007 Asian Cup finals that kick-off on July 7th in Malaysia, Vietnam, Indonesia and Thailand.

Bahrain have been drawn to a tough Group D that includes Saudi Arabia, South Korea and co-hosts Indonesia.

Macala has had his fair share of experience in the Gulf working with the likes of Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, UAE and Oman.