Al Ain coach Mamic gets board's backing

Al Ain coach Zoran Mamic.

Ghanim Mubarak Al Hajri, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Al Ain Football Club, has backed coach Zoran Mamic to carry on despite rumours doing the rounds that the Croatian is set to depart the club.
Mamic, who was recommended by previous coach and compatriot Zlatko Dalic, took over the reins at the Garden City club in February, on an 18-month deal. But 'The Boss' endured an average season by their lofty standards, with the club ending one of those rare seasons without any silverware.
Al Ain, who have won the UAE top flight for a record 12 times, finished fourth in the Arabian Gulf League in the just concluded season. They also missed out on the Arabian Gulf Cup and the President's Cup.
That fourth place finish also meant that Al Ain will miss out on the AFC Champions League next season. Al Ain, who were the inaugural champions in 2003 apart from finishing runners-up in 2005 and 2016, have featured in almost every season except for 2008, 2009 and 2012.
The club though, are currently fighting for a spot in the quarterfinals of this year's continental competition with Al Ain set to host Iran's Esteghlal in the return leg of their Round of 16 fixture at the Hazza bin Zayed Stadium on Monday. 'The Boss' were unlucky to lose by a solitary goal, scored in stoppage time, in the first leg at the Azadi Stadium last Monday.
Speculation is rife that Mamic will leave the club and Al Ain are set to install a new manager. But Ghanim Al Hajri stood behind Mamic and said that they are very happy and satisfied with their manager.
"There is no truth to the news that Zoran Mamic will leave the club. He has a contract with Al Ain. Such rumours are part of football and this phenomenon always happens at the end of each season," Al Hajri told Al Ain's official website.
"There are people who try to influence the club by promoting rumours. But we are happy and satisfied with the coach and the way he continues to develop this team. The management, the players and the fans are confident in the ability of Mamic," he added.
The 45-year-old Mamic previously managed Dinamo Zagreb and Saudi Arabia's Al Nassr.
Al Hajri also revealed that the club had received offers from Turkish and Chinese clubs to buy their Colombian playmaker Danilo Asprilla and said that the club is currently studying those offers and are waiting on Mamic's report, before making a decision. Mamic is set to hand in the report after the second leg of the Round of 16 fixture against Esteghlal on Monday.
"Al Ain has received offers from Turkish and Chinese clubs to buy Danilo Asprilla. The club is waiting for the report from Mamic and is also currently studying those offers to take the appropriate decision, which is consistent with the coach's report," he said.
The 28-year-old Asprilla has made 54 appearances since joining Al Ain last year. He had scored 16 goals and made six assists during this time.
Al Hajeri also said that Mamic's report will address the team's needs, in terms of off-loading and signing new players, both local as well as foreign, for next season.
james@khaleejtimes.com