ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates - Qatar has fired coach Paulo Autuori after the team crashed out of the Gulf Cup without winning a match.

The Qatar Football Association announced on Tuesday that Autuori's assistant Fahad Thani will take charge on a permanent basis.

Autuori, who coached Peru and Sao Paulo among clubs in his native Brazil, was Qatar's third coach in three years.

Thani's immediate task will be guiding Qatar to the 2014 World Cup. The team is tied with two others in second place in Asia Group A and plays South Korea next on March 26.

Qatar, which is hosting the 2022 World Cup, has never qualified for the World Cup and is under pressure to improve its performance.

© Copyright 2013