Mamic ‘honoured’ by UAE job rumours but gives his support to ‘amazing’ Zaccheroni

Al Ain manager Zoran Mamic has distanced himself from reports he could replace Alberto Zaccheroni in the UAE national team dugout, with the Football Association moving on Saturday to underline their support for the Italian.

Pressure is mounting on Zaccheroni, 65, following Thursday’s 2-0 friendly defeat to Trinidad and Tobago – a country ranked 14 places below them in the Fifa world rankings – in Spain, a result that stretched the UAE’s winless run now to five matches.

The defeat means the former AC Milan and Juventus manager’s side have now found the net just three times in 11 matches since his appointment last October.

Zaccheroni’s predicament is accentuated given the Asian Cup, which takes place for the second time in the Emirates, is less than four months away.

Speculation over the weekend linked Henk ten Cate, the former Al Jazira manager, and Mamic with the role, although the latter released a statement on social media to play down the rumours.

Last season, Mamic guided Al Ain to an historic Arabian Gulf League and President’s Cup double.

“I am extremely flattered and honoured that my name is mentioned in connection to the UAE head coach,” Mamic tweeted.

“But [the] national team has a coach – Mr Zaccheroni is a great coach with an amazing career and as Al Ain coach I am totally focused on our next games. Al Ain will continue to support the national team as always.”

Not long before, the FA released a statement on Twitter, saying: “The UAE Football Association denies what is being circulated in the media and social networking sites about communicating with any coach to take over the national team for the Asian Cup.

“We appeal to everyone to stand behind the Whites and not to disturb preparations for the championship.”

The UAE conclude their camp in Spain with a friendly against Laos today.

Zaccheroni’s contract runs until the completion of the Asian Cup, which finishes on February 1.