Lethal striker Mirko Vucinic is looking forward to working with new Al Jazira coach Abel Braga as the Pride of Abu Dhabi look to go one better next season. 

A second-place finish in 2014-15 wasn’t enough to keep Belgian boss Eric Gerets in a job with him axed halfway through a two-year contract in May. 

His replacement was quickly identified in the shape of Braga who is hoping to rekindle the old magic following a trophy-laden spell at the Mohammed bin Zayed Stadium between 2008 and 2011.

Indeed, the 62-year-old was the last man to steer Al Jazira to the league title and Vucinic, scorer of 25 league goals last term, is determined to help him repeat the feat.

“I want to thank the club for everything, my first coach Gerets and now there is another coach Braga and I hope for success this season,” said the Montenegrin, who was named Best Foreign Player at the AGL awards on Sunday, while also winning the Golden Boot and a spot in the Team of the Year.

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“I came here to win and the first season we didn’t win but we came second. 

“I hope this year is different. It was difficult at the start but now it is much better.”

Braga has wasted no time in beefing up his new squad following the acquisition of exciting Brazilian forward Thiago Neves from Al Hilal. 

Neves is likely to play just behind Vucinic and strike partner Ali Mabkhout, the 2015 Emirati Player of the Year, and the former Juventus star is hoping they can click as an attacking trident. 

“Neves is a good player and I hope he scores lots of goals for Jazira to get us to first place.

“Ali Mabkhout is a very good player so playing with him is easy. It is good. We have a good relationship as well as a good combination on the pitch. 

“[Both of us winning awards] is a double joy because Ali is a very good player and a good guy.”