Zamalek in Turmoil: Ahmed Soliman Demands Probe into Ferreira Fallout
3 December 2025
Context and Fallout
Ahmed Soliman, a member of Zamalek's board, voiced strong anger at comments made by former coach Yannick Ferreira, labeling them as "very bad" and calling for accountability within the club’s leadership. Ferreira’s brief spell with Zamalek ran from July to November 2025, during which he oversaw 13 matches and secured seven victories.
Soliman argued that the internal crisis deepened after Ferreira publicly criticized the club’s administration and football operations, suggesting more critical questions needed answering than personal grievances did.
Requests and Recriminations
Soliman urged the board to summon John Edward, the head of recruitment and administrative operations, to clarify the remarks Ferreira made and to provide transparency about the club’s internal process. He added that Ferreira’s comments attacked the club without acknowledging his own managerial missteps, and he questioned why Ferreira remained in charge given the negatives described.
Former Zamalek star Ahmed Hossam "Mido" joined the fray with sharp accusations about Ferreira’s motives and assessments of his career, arguing that Ferreira’s public digs were driven by pressure to secure unpaid dues and salary claims. Mido even suggested that Ferreira’s reputation with Zamalek was more notable than his actual achievements as a coach.
Ferreira’s Stance and the Aftermath
Ferreira responded with a brief Instagram statement promising legal action against Mido, saying the accusations were defamatory and would be addressed with legal counsel. He contended that he was not the primary decision-maker for most of the summer 2025 signings, with only the Brazilian Juan Bezerra singled out as an exception, and he argued that some players were affected by financial constraints.
Ferreira claimed he had informed the club leadership about the need to trim the squad, noting that the team had 31 players and that such overstaffing contributed to a challenging environment. He also revealed that his departure from the club was learned through journalists rather than directly from the organization itself.
Additionally, Ferreira referenced a broader administrative challenge ahead of a key match against a rival, alleging there had been no video analysis due to unpaid invoices for the analytics platform. He implied that such financial snags hampered performance and strategic preparation.
In parallel, the club’s internal debate highlighted persistent tensions between football operations and the administrative side, with questions about decision-making, accountability, and the club’s ability to stabilize after a turbulent period.
As the drama unfolds, Zamalek’s supporters and stakeholders watch closely to see whether the board will pursue reforms, hold executives to account, or navigate the season through more public spats and media cycles.