According to close sources to the UAE Football Association, an agreement has been reached with Ali after returning from the 2012 London Games and the UAEFA is set to meet on Sunday in Dubai to approve the deal.

Ali who led the UAE U-19 national team to victory in the 2008 AFC Youth Cup, the first-ever continental silverware in the country’s history, guided the boys to the fifth place in the 2009 Egypt Fifa U-20 World Championship, and finished runners up in the 2010 Asian Games in China.

UAE failed to reach quarter-finals in the Olympic Games. However, Ali told his critics after the Games saying that he is proud of his players and their great achievements.

Yousuf Al Serkal, president of the UAEFA renewed confidence in the national coach and have reportedly backed him to take over the national team ahead of the upcoming commitments, including the 2013 Gulf Cup, the 2015 AFC Asian Cup qualifiers and to prepare the same squad for the 2018 Fifa World Cup qualifiers.