Al Ahly’s New Dawn: Sorup Arrives as Walid Salah Din Maps a Bold Path
9 October 2025
New Era at Al Ahly
Al Ahly confirmed that Danish coach Yas Sorup will take charge of the first team for two and a half years, with Osama Helal handling the final administrative details in Denmark before he arrives in Cairo with a group of assistants.
Walid Salah El-Din, the club’s sporting director, explained that interim manager Emad El Nahhas declined a deputy role within the youth sector, choosing a new challenge instead. Adel Mustafa will stay on as an assistant to the new manager as the transition begins.
El-Din praised Nahhas for his performance in challenging circumstances and stressed that Sorup’s arrival marks a fresh chapter for the club, with the coaching staff and structure aligning to a broader strategic plan.
Among the toughest calls so far, Walid Salah El-Din revealed he decided against including Mohamed Magdy Afsha and Ahmed Zizo in the derby lineup, noting they had only returned to training two days earlier and needed protection against injuries.
Rumors and misinformation about the team and players were acknowledged, but the club emphasized discipline and a clear plan, including safeguarding the team’s locker room and communications.
The club also clarified that a dispute involving Afsha’s comments was not directed at Emad Nahhas; the official stance is to avoid public naming and keep internal deliberations confidential as much as possible.
On contracts and strategy, Sorup’s tenure will see a digital revamp of the dressing room to better track plans and performance. Sorup will determine winter transfer targets, and Al Ahly reportedly declined a lucrative Libyan offer for Hussein El Shahat, who remains a key player.
Al Ahly announced the signing of Sorup and noted that Osama Helal traveled to Denmark to finalize formalities. The club stated that the coach and his five-assistant team will begin duties from Friday, following the end of the previous coach Jose Ribeiro’s tenure in late August due to results concerns.
Emad El Nahhas remains central to the club’s revival, having helped lift the team from a low to a stronger domestic standing. A meeting with Mahmoud El Khatib, the planning committee, and the sporting director will outline the path ahead for the next phase.
In Africa, Al Ahly’s first-team squad will travel to Burundi for the CAF Champions League first leg against the Burundian Eagles. The travel is scheduled for October 15 or 16, with the Eagles of Burundi advancing to the round of 32 after defeating AS Telecom Djibouti in the prior round.
Walid Salah El-Din also noted that the club will continue to prioritize homegrown talent and ensure stability as Sorup steps into the hot seat, guiding the team through a crucial season.
Punchline 1: If decisions were penalties, Al Ahly just earned a golden boot by appointing Sorup—aim for the back of the net, not the rumor mill.
Punchline 2: In football as in life, sometimes the hardest call is choosing the right door—Sorup’s is the one that doesn’t slam shut on ambition or injuries.
