In most dressing rooms, a 5-0 title-clinching victory would trigger wild celebrations, emotional speeches, and a sense of completion.
Not at Al Ain.
Moments after securing the 2025–26 UAE Pro League title with a commanding win over Sharjah, head coach Vladimir Ivic delivered a message that perfectly captured the mentality driving the club’s remarkable season:
“We are still in the game.”
For Ivic, lifting the league trophy is not the final destination — it is only part of a larger mission. The Serbian tactician now wants Al Ain to complete the season unbeaten and cement their place among the greatest teams in UAE football history.
The ‘Invincibles’ Mission Begins
With league fixtures against Al Dhafra and Dibba still remaining, Al Ain are just two matches away from completing an undefeated league campaign — a feat rarely achieved in modern football.
“Of course, our target is to do it, and we will give our maximum,” Ivic said after the title-winning performance against Sharjah.
The champions are also preparing for the President’s Cup final against Al Jazira later this month, giving them a chance to secure a historic domestic double.
If achieved, it would complete one of the most dramatic football turnarounds the Gulf region has witnessed in recent years.
From Club World Cup Humiliation to UAE Dominance
What makes Al Ain’s rise even more impressive is where the club stood less than a year ago.
After their historic AFC Champions League triumph in 2024, the club entered a period of instability and uncertainty. Heavy defeats against Juventus and Manchester City at the FIFA Club World Cup exposed major weaknesses in the squad, while managerial changes created further confusion.
Hernan Crespo departed after struggling to replicate continental success domestically. Leonardo Jardim followed but lasted less than three months.
When Ivic arrived, expectations were cautious rather than optimistic.
Fast forward 456 days, and Al Ain are not only league champions — they are potentially on the verge of becoming “Invincibles.”
Ivic’s Discipline Changed Everything
Behind Al Ain’s success lies Ivic’s strict tactical structure and disciplined football philosophy.
The coach inherited an unbalanced squad operating under the UAE Pro League’s complicated foreign-player regulations, forcing constant adjustments to line-ups and substitutions.
“It was not easy to deal with these situations,” Ivic admitted.
Despite the challenges, the Serbian coach built a system based on organisation, intensity, and accountability.
Kodjo Laba has delivered another outstanding scoring season, while Soufiane Rahimi continues to shine as one of the region’s most influential attackers. Veteran goalkeeper Khalid Essa has also remained a vital leader during the club’s transformation.
More importantly, Al Ain now look like a team with identity, purpose, and belief — something that appeared missing only months ago.
A New Standard for UAE Football
Al Ain’s dominance this season sends a strong message across Gulf football.
At a time when clubs across the UAE and Saudi Arabia are investing heavily in talent and infrastructure, Ivic has shown that structure, mentality, and consistency remain just as important as star power.
The Serbian coach may not celebrate loudly, but his work is speaking volumes.
Now, with an unbeaten season and domestic double still within reach, Al Ain are no longer simply champions.
They are chasing immortality.
