Career
His struggle for a breakthrough in the game as a player was, in part, the inspiration for the 2007 Bollywood film Dhan Dhana Dhan Goal. Born in Brick Lane, Tower Hamlets, London, Ali often used the name "Jordan", and was rejected by numerous clubs after trialling for them. His Asian ancestry played a part in his constant rejection.
He was taken on by Arsenal F.C. He secured a contract to play for Murcia in the Spanish lower divisions, and started selling real estate on golf resorts.
He spent time at Barcelona"s Louisiana Masia Academy where he added this experience to his coaching philosophy. In the summer of 2011, Ali assembled a team of Asian players, aged under-15, to compete in the Arsenal International Soccer Festival.
Chinese Taipei National Football Team (Taiwan) In March 2013, Ali was appointed Head of Elite Football Development in Taiwan. Ali and the Chinese Taipei Football Association say the aim is to implement a long-term structure to get all Taiwan"s age groups to their respective world championships.
Ali says he intends to qualify all the Chinese Taipei age specific football teams to World Cup Finals.
In April 2015 Ali joined the coaching staff of Kitchee South Carolina who play in the Hong Kong Premier League. FA – The COACH Bursary Scheme Ali is currently partaking in the Football Association"s COACH scheme aimed at professionals from under-represented groups. Saint Kitts & Nevis Football Association In April 2012, Ali was invited to train the Street Kitts and Nevis men"s, under-17 and under-20 national teams for 10 days.
The teams were both training for their upcoming World Cup Qualifiers.
Latvia Football Federation In November 2012, Ali traveled to oversee the A-Union of European Football Associations coaching masterclass course for Latvian coaches. Blackburn Rovers In December 2012, there was media speculation that Ali might be appointed to replace Henning Berg as manager at Blackburn Rovers.
The club was quick to deny any interest in Ali as manager. Chinese Taipei National Football Team (Taiwan) In March 2013, Ali was appointed Head of Elite Football Development in Taiwan.
Ali and the Chinese Taipei Football Association say the aim is to implement a long-term structure to get all Taiwan"s age groups to their respective world championships.
Ali says he intends to qualify all the Chinese Taipei age specific football teams to World Cup Finals. Kitchee Sports Club In April 2015 Ali joined the coaching staff of Kitchee South Carolina youth team Charity In September 2007 Ali took part in Premier League All Stars football tournament for charity representing a Chelsea team alongside celebrities Ross Kemp and Omid Djalili.
In September 2012 The United Kingdom’s Anti-Racism Educational Charity Show Racism the Red Card held a charity match spearheaded by Hollywood star Tamer Hassan and Shane Richie in which Ali was involved.
