Al Ain's hopes of appointing Quique Sanchez Flores as their new boss have received a boost after under-fire Valencia coach Miroslav Djukic received a vote of confidence at the Mestalla.

As Sport360° revealed over the weekend, Sanchez Flores is Al Ain's No1 choice to succeed Jorge Fossati who was sacked earlier this month, with a deal already believed to have been agreed "in principle".

However, reports in Spain had claimed the Spaniard was also being lined up for a return to Valencia, whom he managed between 2005-2007, after a poor start to the season under new boss Djukic.

Four successive loses, including a chastening 3-0 home defeat to Swansea in the Europa League in midweek, had heaped the pressure on Djukic, who only replaced Ernesto Valverde in the hotseat during the summer.

Valencia's home clash with Sevilla on Sunday night was deemed a 'must win' by the local press with Sanchez Flores, who spent 10 years as a player at club, touted as a possible replacement.

However, a 3-1 victory has duly eased the pressure on Djukic who has subsequently received the backing of Los Che president Amadeo Salvo.

"He (Djukic) will finish the season whatever happens," Salvo told Canal Plus. "He has signed for two years with us and the normal thing would be that he completes his contract. I'm convinced about that."

Salvo later added on Onda Cero: "Djukic is our coach and he would still have been even if we'd lost. Djukic said that being the coach here fulfilled a lifelong dream, that deserves respect.

"You need to give things time, there's no need to rush, and in this case we're not going to. We have to invest in things that in the future will give us results."

Djukic's stay of execution is now likely to accelerate Sanchez Flores' appointment at Al Ain with the 48-year-old, who previously spent 20 months in charge of Al Ahli before quitting at the end of last season, expected to pen a two-year deal.

It is understood Sanchez Flores will travel to the UAE this week with a club official insisting no formal announcement will be made on Al Ain's new boss until after their next league match against Al Dhafra on Friday.

 

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