Al Ahly’s Foreign Coach Quest Goes Off the Rails: Interim Bosses and Bold Ambitions

Controversy and Interim Leadership

A wave of anger is sweeping through Al Ahly as the club struggles to appoint a new foreign head coach for the first team, continuing to rely on Emad El Nahhas as caretaker with Adel Mustafa, Mohamed Nageb, and goalkeeper coach Amir Abdelhamid, along with team manager Walid Salah. The club’s leadership—backed by a Spanish-influenced structure—moved to replace Jose Ribeiro at the end of August after results dipped in the domestic league and a 2-0 loss to Pyramids, appointing El Nahhas as interim in a bid to steady the ship.

The club’s leadership had hoped to secure a foreign specialist quickly, ideally before the September break, but senior officials offered mixed messages about the pace and viability of the pursuit, leaving many questions unanswered and the dressing room divided on the best path forward.

The Foreign Coach Hunt: Names, Negotiations, and Roadblocks

Inside sources told Kooora that the only real fact remained the failure to reach an agreement with a suitable foreign coach, despite rumors and late-night negotiations. Discussions reached toward several high-profile names, with the aim of a marquee appointment that could deliver domestic success and continental ambitions. The list included coaches from a spectrum of backgrounds, but outcomes remained unsettled as talks stalled on terms and timelines.

Meanwhile, Al Ahly prepared for upcoming fixtures under El Nahhas, while the club’s technical planning committee weighed options, emphasizing the need for a coach with a proven track record in achieving titles and commanding a dressing room under intense scrutiny.

In parallel, the club publicly reflected on how to balance ambition with practicality. The decision-makers stressed that the new boss must have a strong personality to tame the squad, deliver tangible trophies, and endure African football’s pressures and expectations, ideally for more than one season.

Around this time, negotiations also touched on who should be considered and who should be discarded. Reports cited interest in several international names and noted refusals for various reasons, including reluctance to work in the Middle East or questions about contractual commitments. As of now, the club continues to explore viable paths while keeping the interim arrangement at the ready should a timely agreement not emerge.

What’s Next for Al Ahly

The focus shifted toward the team’s next match against Kahraba Ismailia at the Arab Contractors Stadium, scheduled for October 4, 2025, at 19:00. The squad listed for the camp included a host of senior players—The goalkeeper, Sheners, and a host of outfield stars—while several midfielders and attackers were omitted due to tactical shifts or fitness concerns as the club navigates the transition period.

Inside the club, Mahmoud El Khatib, the club president, underscored the project’s long-term nature: a coach with a strong CV who can deliver titles and oversee continuity beyond a single season. In parallel, discussions with agents intensified as the front office sought a plan that would satisfy both the technical staff and the supporters, without repeating past missteps.

On the coaching front, there was inside talk of big-name candidates such as Alfred Schreuder, Carlos Queiroz, Paulo Bento, Jose Gomes, Bruno Lage, Rui Vitória, Roger Schmidt, Marco Rose, Fatih Terim, and others. Some reportedly declined the Middle East assignment, while others asked for terms that the club could not immediately meet. There were even whispers of timing requests—Rui Vitória asked for a delay to decide, while Fatih Terim pegged a salary at around $5 million per year, complicating quick deals. Negotiations continued with Jose Gomes, though he remained under contract elsewhere, and the bosses weighed the risk of overpromising to a fanbase eager for momentum.

National Coach Considerations

Within the decision-making circles, there was political pressure to appoint a well-known local figure, with Hossam El Badry repeatedly mentioned as a candidate due to his aura and leadership. However, the leadership pushed back, wary of past tensions and a desire to avoid a repeat of prior disputes that could destabilize the club.

Current Developments

Reliable sources say that Sayed Abdel-Hafiz, the former team manager, stepped in under mandate to spearhead talks with agents for a foreign manager. An agreement with Alfred Schreuder faltered over financial terms, and the club kept evaluating other options while the clock ticked toward a decision that would shape the rest of the season.

Upcoming match day brought a sense of urgency as Al Ahly prepared to host Kahraba Ismailia in a closed camp, with a long list of players in and out of the squad as the team braces for the tactical test ahead of a demanding schedule. The roster included veterans and rising stars, while several players were left out for strategic or fitness reasons, underscoring the delicate balance between immediate results and long-term planning.

In short, the club’s leadership is pushing for the right appointment—one that can restore consistency and bring silverware back to the cabinet, while the fans wait with a mix of hope and skepticism. And if a manager is found, let’s hope the contract includes a longer runway than a transfer window… if football had an off-season for drama, this would be it.

Punchline 1: If patience were a weapon, Al Ahly would own the season—the only thing sharper than their strike force is the deadline on this coaching saga. Punchline 2: In football, the transfer window wants to retire early; the club just wants a coach who doesn’t need a heavy-duty visa to win a domestic cup.