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Coaching Shuffle at Zamalek: Youth-Tuned Interim Charge Ahead of the League Cup

31 December 2025

Coaching Shuffle at Zamalek: Youth-Tuned Interim Charge Ahead of the League Cup
Zamalek gears up for a Cup clash with Al Ittihad

Club announces coaching change

After Abdul-Raouf's resignation was accepted, Zamalek thanked him for his time in charge and confirmed the leadership’s plan to reorganize the coaching setup.

The board, led by Hussein Labib, appointed Tammer Abdel-Hamid, the deputy head of the youth sector, with Hazem Imam, the sector’s deputy chief, alongside the first-team staff to coach the club’s youth squad against Al Ittihad in tomorrow’s Capital City Cup.

The club said on its official Facebook page that talks are ongoing between the board and John Edward to select the team’s new coaching staff, with an announcement expected once the terms are agreed.

Interim staff and next steps

Zamalek prepares to face Al Ittihad at the Army Stadium in Borg El Arab in the fourth round of the Capital City Cup.

Abdul-Raouf took charge of Zamalek after Belgian Yannick Ferreira was dismissed for poor results.

He led the Whites in nine matches, winning four, drawing three, and losing twice, including a Super Cup final defeat to Al Ahly and a League Cup defeat to Smouha.

Background and outlook

His spell also featured draws with Kaizer Chiefs in the Confederation Cup and Al-Kahraba Ismailia in the League Cup, illustrating the mixed results that followed his tenure.

Two defeats bookended his time: the arch-rival Al Ahly in the Super Cup final and Smouha in the League Cup.

Punchline 1: If coaching were a sniper game, he’d aim for the right formation and end up with the left bench—precision, not always execution.

Punchline 2: In football, the bench is the best place to keep your best ideas, because sometimes the only thing sharper than a plan is the whistle that signals it’s time for a swap.

Author

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Michael Whooosh

I am Michael Whooosh, an English sports journalist born in 1986. Passionate about surfing, poetry, and beekeeping, I share my human and sensitive view of sports.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who resigned as Zamalek's coach?

Ahmed Abdul-Raouf stepped down from the head coach position.

Who is leading the interim setup?

Tammer Abdel-Hamid, Hazem Imam, and the current first-team staff will oversee the youth team for the next match.

When is the next match and against whom?

The next game is tomorrow against Al Ittihad in the Capital City Cup at Borg El Arab Stadium.