His Highness Sheikh Hazza bin Zayed Al Nahyan, National Security Adviser, Deputy Chairman of Abu Dhabi Executive Council and vice-president of the Boss, ordered the formation of a Temporary Committee after he made the shock announcement that the boards of Al Ain Football Club and Al Ain Investment Company had been suspended.
This followed a decision from BMW and Abu Dhabi Motors to apologise and pull a television advert because of a huge outcry caused by the use of the UAE national anthem. In it, Al Ain players were seen running off the pitch midway through the song to rush into vehicles.
The call has major ramifications for Dalic, with the previous regime reluctant to extend his two-and-a-half-year stay in the Garden City once his deal expired after Sunday’s President’s Cup final defeat to Al Jazira. But Sheikh Hazza is a keen supporter of the 49-year-old and may now think of keeping him, especially after a second run in three editions to the AFC Champions League quarter-finals was secured last week.
The decisive actions of the Abu Dhabi royal were first revealed in a series of tweets.
“National symbols are an integral part of our collective identity,” he said on Twitter. “With them we rise.
“Under the UAE banner and with our national anthem we preserve our values and we protect our homeland. Al Ain will continue to be a luminescent torch and will continue its efforts at the service of the country and as part of its athletic and developmental march.
“We wish all success to the managing committee we have formed.”
A more hands-on role for Sheikh Hazza would likely see a significant upturn in spending, with Dalic receiving full backing to
pursue targets of his choice. A source close to the Croatian put the odds at “60/40” that a new extension would be signed in the coming weeks.
Dalic had come under significant pressure during a second full season in charge in which only the Arabian Gulf Super Cup was attained. The Boss were dethroned by Al Ahli in the Arabian Gulf League and were beaten 6-5 on penalties by Jazira in the showpiece of the country’s premier club competition.
But these failures came during a campaign in which budget foreign acquisitions, largely chosen by the previous hierarchy, such as Danilo Asprilla, Ryan Babel and Emmanuel Emenike proved to be duds.
Speaking after the final at Zayed Sports City, Dalic did not seem overly confident he would continue.
He said: “I never said I will go out from Al Ain, but I have choices to see what’s best for me.
“This is my club; if I go out I’m really proud of my time here. I will stay ‘Ainawi’ forever.”
The makeup of the Temporary Committee is expected to be announced in the coming days.