MUSCAT, February 27 (National Team) - Milan Macala has been sacked as head coach of the Oman national team after federation officials completed their evaluation of the team's performance at the recent Gulf Cup.

Oman Football Association general secretary Dr Hilal Al Mukhaini confirmed speculation that Macala had been removed after local media claimed the Czech had been ousted on Tuesday.

"The reports are true," Al Mukhaini told PA Sport. "However, it's not official yet and there will be an official press conference later tonight to reveal everything."

Macala was in his third stint as Oman coach and took the team to the final of the Gulf Cup in January, where they lost 1-0 to hosts United Arab Emirates.

The Czech, one of the region's most successful coaches after leading Kuwait to back-to-back Gulf Cup triumphs in the 1990s, has been replaced by Hamad Al Azani on a temporary basis.

Macala guided Oman to qualification for the Asian Cup - for the first time in their history - in China in 2004 before leaving to work in the UAE with Al Ain.

However, he returned last year to steer the team to the finals in South East Asia.

Oman have been drawn in Group A for the Asian Cup and will face co-hosts Thailand, Australia and Iraq.