Former Coach Predicts Foreign Manager for Al Ahly Amid Ongoing Speculation

Mohsen Saleh, the former head coach of the Egyptian national team, has weighed in on the ongoing discussions regarding the new managerial appointment at Al Ahly, following the departure of Danish coach Jes Torup.

During an interview on ON Sport FM, Saleh expressed his belief that the club should hire a foreign manager for the upcoming season, deeming this option to be the most suitable at this time.

He emphasized that considering a local coach to lead the team is not a viable option in his view, citing a lack of domestic candidates capable of handling the immense pressures associated with coaching Al Ahly during this critical period.

Saleh mentioned Ali Maher as a potential candidate for the role but noted that Maher’s failure to secure the league title with Ceramica Cleopatra last season diminished his chances of taking charge at Al Ahly. He pointed out that winning the league was a fundamental requirement for any local coach aspiring to lead the team.

The former national team coach further elaborated that Al Ahly needs a manager with substantial experience and an ability to cope with both fan and media pressures, which reinforces his preference for an international appointment.

In related remarks, Saleh reviewed Al Ahly’s performance last season, highlighting that they finished third in the league and missed qualification for next season’s CAF Champions League. Additionally, he noted their defeats in both the Egypt Cup and Cairo Cup, although they did manage to secure the Egyptian Super Cup against rivals Zamalek at the start of the season.