(Reuters) - Palestine's preparations for the Asian Cup have been dealt a blow with the resignation of head coach Jamal Mahmoud. The 41-year-old Jordanian, who took charge in 2011, quit on Wednesday citing personal reasons, the Asian Football Confederation said on its website (www.the-afc.com) on Thursday. Assistant coach Saeb Jendeya has been named interim replacement. Palestine were the last team to earn an Asian Cup berth after winning the AFC Challenge Cup in the Maldives.