Abu Dhabi: The UAE Football Association has refuted reports that Mahdi Ali resigned as the UAE national team manager in the wake of the side’s 2-0 win over Iraq on Tuesday.
The 51-year-old Emirati failed to dampen persistent speculation about his future after the 2018 Fifa World Cup qualifying victory at the Mohammad Bin Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi.
He was non-committal on whether he would be staying in the role in his post-match press conference, having reportedly told his players prior to the Iraq clash that he would be resigning.
However, the UAE FA insists this is not the case.
“News circulating about the technical and management structures of the national team, and about Mahdi resigning from his position as coach of the national team, are untrue and unfounded,” said Mohammad Bin Hazzam, the FA general secretary, in a statement.
“The coming period requires everyone to come together and stand behind the team and support all the matches in order to achieve the dream of qualifying for the World Cup.”
But rumours continue to swirl that the former Al Nasr coach Ivan Jovanovic, the current Al Ahli supremo Cosmin Olaroiu, and the ex-Belgium manager Marc Wilmots, are among the candidates to replace Ali.
The embattled UAE coach was subjected to severe criticism after last month’s 3-0 drubbing in Saudi Arabia, with ‘Sack Mahdi Ali’ even trending on Twitter.
Ali was profoundly hurt by this and was ready to resign from the post he has held since 2012, but is now believed to be willing to meet UAE FA officials to discuss his future.
Whatever happens, the former Al Ahli player has established a magnificent legacy, having guided the team to the 2012 Olympics, 2013 Gulf Cup success and a third-place finish at last year’s Asian Cup.
The UAE are currently fourth in Group B of the third and final Asian qualification round for the 2018 World Cup in Russia, but are just a point adrift of leaders Saudi Arabia.
The top two teams progress to the global showpiece, while the third-place country will have to negotiate two play-off rounds to join them.
The UAE resume their qualification quest at home to Japan next March.
Bin Hazzam added: “Mahdi Ali spoke to the players after the game and congratulated them on winning. He advised them to do even more in the coming period.
“The UAE FA board have developed a comprehensive evaluation plan for the final stages of qualifying and this will be reviewed by all parties.”
