Sobic named interim coach of Al Ain after Mamic steps down

Dubai - Rumours are swirling around say that the former Croatian international is Saudi Arabia-bound to join Al Hilal

Al Ain reserve team coach Zeljko Sobic has been placed in temporary charge of the first team after Zoran Mamic stepped down from the role, the club announced on Wednesday.
Mamic, who guided The Boss to a cup double - the Arabian Gulf League and the President's Cup - last season, apart from overseeing Al Ain's dream run to the Fifa Club World Cup final against Real Madrid, parted ways with the club by mutual consent.
The 47-year-old's contract was to run till the end of the season but the former Dinamo Zagreb manager handed in a request saying that he needed to take a break from football management and the club hierarchy didn't stand in his way.
What the future holds for Mamic is unclear at the moment but rumours swirling around say that the former Croatian international is Saudi Arabia-bound to join Al Hilal. If the news is indeed true, Mamic will replace Jorge Jesus with the Portuguese unwilling to commit his future. It will also reunite Mamic with UAE playmaker Omar Abdulrahman, who is currently sidelined due to injury.
"Al Ain reserve team head coach and his staff have been tasked to be in charge of training the first football team temporarily after the amicable termination of Zoran Mamic's contract," the club said on their official website.
"Sobic will be in charge of this position until the club finalise the procedures of contracting with the new head coach in the next few days," the club added.
Although the club wanted Mamic to stay, they understood Mamic's situation and allowed him to leave. "It is Mamic's decision to leave and he might have his own reasons to leave and did not want to disclose them and we appreciate his own privacy. 
Meanwhile, in a heartfelt message on his official twitter handle, Mamic thanked the club. "After two amazing years in Al Ain where, together with my team and everyone involved, we wrote history," said Mamic.
"Winning the first double in Al Ain's rich history was an amazing achievement I will always remember. What can I even say about the Club World Cup and historic wins that led us to the final against Real Madrid. Amazing memories we all made together and wrote history. Big thanks to all my players, everyone in the club and a special thanks to Ainawi for their support. Without all of you, this wouldn't be possible. For now, we part ways but I feel that in the future... anything is possible. Shukran to all and good luck," he added.
Mamic looked back fondly on his time with Al Ain and said that they were like one family. "It is hard to find words how I feel about my players. We were a family. A true family.we had amazing moments, we argued, we worked hard, we had fun, we won games and trophies. In two years, we experienced everything but we all of that together as a family. I wish to thank each and every one of my players. You are all special to me and from my heart, I wish you all the best. It was a privilege working with you," Mamic said.
Meanwhile, with an eye on the AFC Champions League group stages in March, Al Ain have bolstered their squad by signing Portuguese midfielder Ruben Ribeiro from Sporting Lisbon.
james@khaleejtimes.com