Al Ahly Ends Contract with Coach Jess Torup After Disappointing Tenure

Al Ahly announced on Thursday evening that it has parted ways with Danish head coach Jess Torup after a brief tenure that failed to meet the team’s expectations this season.

During the 2025-2026 season, Al Ahly managed to secure only the Egyptian Super Cup title held in the UAE, while falling short in other domestic and continental competitions. This lack of success prompted the club’s management to terminate Torup’s contract.

Torup took charge of the first team on October 8, 2025, succeeding Spanish coach José Ribeiro, who also left due to disappointing results. The Danish coach began his role at a challenging time for the club.

From a tactical perspective, Torup struggled to make a significant impact on the team. While there were limited positives, including an emphasis on wing play for building attacks, these efforts did not translate into sustained success.

His strategy relied on the movements of midfielders Marwan Attia and Aliou Dieng towards the flanks to create space for more effective crosses. Although this approach showed promise in certain matches, it ultimately fell short of supporting a long-term project.

Meanwhile, Al Ahly experienced a noticeable decline in both defensive and offensive performance. The team was eliminated from the CAF Champions League by Tunisian side Esperance, lost the league title to Zamalek, and was knocked out of the Egypt Cup by a second-division team. Additionally, they exited the League Cup early.

Under Torup’s management, Al Ahly played 36 matches across various competitions, achieving 18 victories alongside 9 draws and 9 losses. The team scored 51 goals while conceding 32—a record insufficient for his continued leadership.