The boss can do it again - and again

It's time to praise Etisalat Pro League champions Al Ain, crowned three rounds ahead of the end of the season following their 2-0 win against last term's winners Al Jazira.

The success of Cosmin Olaroiu's side in securing a record ninth title illustrates not only how the club got the nickname The Boss but also caps a remarkable turnaround in fortunes as 12 months ago they were facing relegation.

That success now begs a series of questions: is this the start of sustained success? Can they make an impression in the AFC Champions League? And are there lessons to learn for other UAE teams?

To do it again next term and start a new dynasty to go with the previous one which saw five title and two runners-up spots in eight years from 1997 to 2005 they must keep the nucleus of the current squad and must retain hunger and regard this season as Everest base camp rather than the summit.

Overseas brilliance

Crucial to those objectives will be holding on to the overseas stars - Romanian midfielder Mirel Radoi, Ignacio Scocco, the Argentine who created so much, and strikers Asamoah Gyan of Ghana and Saudi Arabian captain Yasser Al Qahtani - as they have helped Olaroiu create the winning mentality among local players who last term looked distinctly average. All four will now be coveted by other clubs but the good news is that both Radoi and Scocco are permanent signings.

Gyan and Qahtani are loanees but in the case of Gyan the deal with parent club Sunderland gives them the right to buy at the end of the deal and that is a right they look certain to try and exercise. There is no such right in Qahtani's case but you can be sure Al Ain will be doing all they can to retain his services.

As for whether this season's success can be a spring board to next season's AFC Champions League, it would be great if it could. Al Ain are the only club from this country to have won it, albeit nine years ago, but this season Al Jazira have hinted that it is possible to do well at home and abroad, qualifying for the next stage with two matches in hand as well as winning the President's Cup. The fact the AFC CL does not start until March next year, when the league season is already three-quarters over, is another reason for optimism about Al Ain's chances on the regional stage.

Lessons to learn

And as for lessons for other clubs, there are plenty: quality is the key, from the Board engaging an excellent coach in Olaroiu and an outstanding chief executive in ex-Pro League boss Carlo Nohra, through to Olaroiu signing class performers, and a youth system fit for purpose of producing quality players for the first team, players such as winger Omar Abdulrahman who could light up the London Olympics with his trickery.

Al Ain are helped by the fact that they are a one-club city but they have embraced the fan-base and sought to involve them. The fans' society, in turn, have created an electric atmosphere that no opposition enjoys and an unblemished home record illustrates that point. The club produce match programmes in Arabic and English, a move that is light years ahead of most other Pro League teams, and are looking to raise the bar still further. They opened their merchandising shop last week, have plans to upgrade their website and facilities and also to sell tickets on line. Throw in a wealthy benefactor or two and all bases seem to be covered.

Al Ain are worthy champions but now comes the hard part on two counts: for The Boss to do it again and for other clubs to follow their lead.