Coach Zlatko Dalic has mounted an impassioned defence of his Al Ain record after a summer of hurt was exorcised with Saturday’s Arabian Gulf Super Cup victory.
Dalic, 48, had been the subject of sustained criticism on Twitter by a vocal minority of Boss supporters and sections of the Arabic media once a 2014/15 campaign which delivered the Arabian Gulf League-crown ended with a chastening AFC Champions League round-of-16 exit to rivals Al Ahli in May.
The pressure had been amped up throughout pre-season as his side failed to win their first four friendlies and Chile head coach Jorge Sampaoli was one of a number rumoured to be potentially taking over. But the Croatian kept hold of the position he has impressively held since April 2014, a spell in which three trophies have been lifted.
Replying to an innocuous question about claiming the Super Cup with a 4-2 win against Al Nasr, he chose instead to unload months of frustration in a heartfelt reply.
“I will be honest now,” Dalic said. “After the Champions League when we were knocked out, there was too much of an attack on me which was personal. But I will repeat now. For one year and half, I took three trophies. nobody in history do like this, nobody.
“I have won the President’s Cup, Arabian Gulf League and Arabian Gulf Super Cup. Nobody in history of Al Ain, no coach, no big name – what is big name?
“My problem, I am quiet. I want only to work.
“I don’t want fights, to speak lots. It is not my job to go to the media, my job is in the field.”
Dalic was an unheralded appointment, representing an unknown quantity despite previously bossing Saudi Arabian giants Al Hilal.
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He has matched the achievements of previous incumbent Cosmin Olaroiu, the Romanian considered the finest at Al Ain in the modern era after claiming three trophies from 2011-13.
The ex-Croatia Under-21 assistant has proven a shrewd acquisition, his trio of titles being added to by a run to the 2014 ACL semi-finals – the furthest the Boss had reached since 2005.
Dalic used his record in Asia’s premier club competition as further ammunition.
He said: “[It felt like] The last 10 years before me, every year I think we played the Champions League final.
“I checked. In 12 years, three times we passed the group stages.
“Two times with me, semi-final with me. Why attack me? Why?
Super cup 2015/16 – Winners,thanks guys! pic.twitter.com/soWNM3bAgZ
— Zlatko Dalic (@DalicZlatko) August 15, 2015
“Thank you Al Ain fans who understand football and not those who are pushing the club against me through Twitter.
“It is very easy to sit on armchair, with TV, drink tea, and write on Twitter: ‘Go out, Zlatko.’
“My friend, what do you want? Sorry, I am using your time.”
Dalic retained control throughout, issuing measured digs rather than heavy blows. He ended by promising the display was a one-off.
He said: “I know, I need to open my heart.
“It is my last interview like this. I want to thank Al Ain fans who understand football and [Al Ain president] His Highness Sheikh Hazza bin Zayed Al Nahyan for supporting me – that is the most important thing.”
