'Thanks for the memories': Zoran Mamic steps down as Al Ain manager

Croatian, 47, led club to a first league-and-cup double last season and looks set to join Saudi Arabian club

Zoran Mamic guided Al Ain to a league and President's Cup double and the final of the Fifa Club World Cup. AFP

Zoran Mamic has stepped down as manager of Al Ain just eight months after leading the club to a historic league-and-cup double.

Mamic took charge in February 2017 and led the Garden City club to last season's Arabian Gulf League title as well as the President's Cup for the first time in the club's history.

He also guided Al Ain to the Fifa Club World Cup final last month, where they lost 4-1 to Real Madrid in Abu Dhabi.

In a statement posted on Twitter, the 47-year-old Croatian thanked the club and its supporters for the "amazing memories we all made together" as he departs with six months still to run on his contract and with Al Ain third in the table three points behind leaders Sharjah.

“After two amazing years in Al Ain where together with my team and everyone involved we wrote history – the time has come to part ways," Mamic said.

“Winning the first double in Al Ain’s rich history was an amazing achievement I will always remember. What can I even say about the Club World Cup and historic wins that lead us to the final against Real Madrid.

“Amazing memories we all made together and wrote history. Big thanks to all my players, everyone in the club, and special thanks to Ainawi for their support; without all of you this wouldn’t be possible.”

Mamic's next destination is likely to be a return to club management in Saudi Arabia, where he has been linked with replacing Jorge Jesus at Al Hilal.

Mamic was previously in charge at Al Nassr before accepting the Al Ain job.

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