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Dalic appointed to Al Ain staff to cast doubt on Quique future

Martyn Thomas

16:27 05/03/2014

Zlatko Dalic has been officially unveiled as Al Ain’s new Technical Supervisor.

The former Al Hilal boss will oversee the club’s elite academy sides and will not have any direct contact with the first or reserve teams.

The length of Dalic’s contract has not been made public, however, Khalifa Suleiman, Sports Sector Manager, was keen to stress that “all possibilities are open” to the 47-year-old.

What that means for the future of head coach Quique Sanchez Flores remains to be seen but Dalic insisted he had not joined Al Ain to put pressure on anyone.

“I was here in front of you one year ago [with Hilal], I am happy to be here again but not as an opponent but as a member of Al AIn Club,” Dalic said.

“I know what Al Ain means, it is a big club, I am very happy to be here. Thank you to the club for hiring me and giving me confidence.

“I hope that the young Al Ain teams that work under me will improve.”

The Croat, who turned down offers to stay in Saudi Arabia, added: “If I didn’t believe in myself I would stay at home but I think I can make a good job with a big club.”

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