Al Ahly Weighs Legends for Contracts Director Amid Restructuring
23 November 2025
Behind Al Ahly's Contract Reorganization
Al Ahly's football administration is actively restructuring the club's operations, zeroing in on the Contracts Director as a cornerstone of the overhaul. The objective is to stabilize negotiations and streamline deals ahead of the winter window.
Following Amir Tofiq's departure—first to the Football Company, then to Al Ahli Jeddah—the club appointed Osama Hilal as acting director while a permanent solution is sought. The prevailing view is that Hilal would be most effective if he concentrates on his primary duty as head of the scouting division within the Red Castle.
Meet the Possible Contenders
A senior meeting last week, attended by Club President Mahmoud Al-Khatib, board member Sid Abdel Hafeez, and sport director Mohamed Youssef, addressed the contracts post and January transfer plans. The discussion also covered players who might leave in January and those the club could target, including a potential third party under the Delphi umbrella.
The list reportedly included Essam Siraj, the current general commercial director at the Egyptian Football Association and a former Contracts Director; and former stars Emad Meteb and Mohamed Barakat. Also floated were Nader Khalil—formerly the club's marketing head and most recently the sporting director of Sudan's Al-Merreikh—and Haitham Arrabi of Modern Sport. As of now, Essam Siraj remains the frontrunner for the role.
Morocco Trip: Scheduling and Duties
The coaching staff decided to revise the trip to Morocco for the upcoming clash with the Royal Army in the CAF Champions League, moving from an earlier plan to travel on November 25 directly from Borg El Arab airport to Morocco on a private flight, following the Ismaily league game.
After the Ismaily game was postponed, the team traveled by regular flight to Casablanca, then by bus to Rabat. A further tweak led to a direct private flight from Cairo to Rabat to curb fatigue, with two Morocco training sessions planned—one on arrival at a secondary venue and another at the match venue.
Samir Adly, the team’s administrative director, will depart early Tuesday for Rabat to secure the training ground and hotel arrangements.
Injury Reports and Player Status
Ashraf Dari continues his rehab and will train progressively. Hussein Shahat needs seven to ten days to recover, while Mohamed Abdullah, a young winger, requires longer after a second-degree knee ligament strain. Ahmed Abdel Qader reported hamstring tightness, and Mohamed Shukri endured a calf strain during Friday’s TETSH session. The medical staff, led by coach Yves Turub, recommended rest for both Shabab duo ahead of the upcoming match, pending scans.
Outlook and Final Thoughts
The core focus remains the Contracts Director role, with ongoing discussions and January plans shaping the broader squad strategy. The leadership aims to reinforce the squad judiciously while preserving momentum in Africa’s premier club competition.
And since even football news deserves a joke: If deals moved as fast as Al Ahly’s negotiations, even a turtle would sign a renewal and brag about it. If contracts were weapons, the pen would be the gun—and the ammunition is a stack of forms. Finally, management is basically a soap opera where the ball writes the plot twists and the ref is the occasional plot hole. Enjoy the show!
