Hussein Ammouta has rejected the prospect of Al Ahly signing Libya international Ali Youssef from French club Nantes, bringing an end to the Egyptian side’s interest in the defender during the current summer transfer window.
Ammouta, who has recently been appointed Al Ahly’s new head coach, has decided that Youssef is not the right option to strengthen his defence. The 56-year-old is understood to have shown no enthusiasm for completing the proposed deal and was not convinced by the player’s suitability for his plans.
The decision is expected to move Youssef significantly further away from joining the Cairo-based club this summer, despite the defender’s positive response to the possibility of wearing the Al Ahly shirt.
The move had been under consideration as part of the club’s preparations for the coming campaign, but Ammouta’s assessment has effectively closed the door on the transfer. His view is the first clear indication of the influence he intends to have over recruitment as he begins shaping the squad in his own image.
Al Ahly announced Ammouta’s appointment as head coach of the first team after parting company with Danish manager Jess Thorup. He will lead the club into a demanding new season, with domestic and continental commitments ahead.
Among the competitions Al Ahly are due to contest are the Egyptian Premier League, the Egypt Cup and the CAF Confederation Cup. The club will therefore be looking to assemble a squad capable of coping with a congested schedule and competing on several fronts.
The report of Ammouta’s decision was published by Moroccan outlet Le360 Sport, which said the manager had rejected the idea of bringing Youssef in to reinforce the team’s back line.
Youssef had reportedly welcomed the prospect of a move to Al Ahly, but Ammouta’s lack of conviction over the transfer meant the player was unlikely to join the club. No alternative defensive target was identified in the report.
Ammouta arrives at Al Ahly with an extensive coaching record across North Africa and the wider Arab world. He guided Morocco’s local national team to notable achievements and has also managed several prominent clubs, including Wydad AC, Al Sadd and Al Jazira.
He has additionally taken charge of Jordan’s national team, adding international experience to a career that has included major challenges at club and country level.
The Al Ahly post represents the latest stage of that career and gives Ammouta responsibility for one of the region’s most high-profile teams. His decision over Youssef suggests that the club’s defensive recruitment will be closely aligned with the Moroccan coach’s assessment as preparations for the new season continue.
