Egyptian press reports revealed that Al Ahly has reached a preliminary agreement with African football expert Hussein Ammouta to take over as head coach next season. However, a state of hesitation still prevails within the club’s board regarding the finalization of this historic move.
This search follows Al Ahly’s official sacking of manager Jes Thorup after a disastrous, tropheless season. The Red Devils shockingly finished third in the Egyptian Premier League, missing out on a qualification spot for the next edition of the CAF Champions League. Since then, the Egyptian giants have been linked with high-profile European managers, most notably Portugal’s Bruno Lage and Dutch tactician Mark van Bommel.
Financial Terms Settled but Al Ahly Management is Divided
Over the past few days, Ammouta—who boasts a stellar track record with Wydad AC, the Moroccan home-based national team, and Jordan—emerged as a serious candidate, with advanced negotiations taking place. The latest updates confirm that Al Ahly and Ammouta have agreed on all financial aspects.
Despite this, Mahmoud El Khatib’s board remains heavily divided. Some board members view appointing a Moroccan manager as a major risk given the immense pressure, arguing that a European tactician or a local Egyptian coach would be a safer alternative. Historically, Al Ahly has never been managed by an Arab coach, and the current tense atmosphere within the club raises concerns over whether Ammouta can handle the peak media scrutiny that would follow his appointment.
Alternative European Options Remain on the Table
While the agreement with Ammouta stands, Al Ahly is simultaneously keeping its options open by holding parallel talks with European managers. This crucial managerial file is being directly managed by the club’s Vice President, Yassin Mansour, alongside the Director of Football, Sayed Abdel Hafez.
Ammouta’s most recent managerial stint was in the UAE Pro League with Al Jazira, where he successfully guided them to a League Cup triumph. Prior to that, he achieved a historic and unforgettable milestone by leading the Jordanian national team to the final of the 2023 AFC Asian Cup.
