Egyptian giants Al Ahly SC are preparing to introduce a series of major structural changes within the club’s football sector following a disappointing campaign that ended with the team missing out on several domestic and continental titles.
The club’s board of directors is scheduled to hold what has been described as a “stormy” meeting on Thursday afternoon, with 13 key decisions expected to be approved as part of a comprehensive restructuring plan ahead of next season.
The anticipated overhaul comes after a difficult year for the Cairo-based side, who managed to win only the Egyptian Super Cup, held in Abu Dhabi last November, while falling short in other competitions.
Al-Ahly failed to secure the Egyptian Premier League title and were also eliminated from the CAF Champions League race. The club additionally missed out on both the Egyptian Cup and Cairo Cup, deepening concerns among supporters and club officials alike. Missing qualification for the next edition of the CAF Champions League has further intensified pressure on the club’s leadership to act decisively.
A source within the club told the WinWin platform that Thursday’s developments would represent a turning point for the football department.
“He added: “Al-Ahly officials are holding several meetings before the club’s board meeting today, Thursday, where board member Sayed Abdel-Hafiz is meeting with the names nominated to take over several positions in the football sector, including the staff that will take over the technical management of the youth sector before they officially sign.””
Among the most significant decisions expected to be announced is the departure of Danish coach Jess Torop along with his foreign coaching staff. The club is also expected to part ways with general coach Adel Mustafa and football director Walid Salah El-Din.
The source also revealed several new appointments that are expected to reshape the football structure at the club.
Former Egypt international Wael Gomaa is set to become Director of Football, while Dr. Assem Siraj is expected to take over as Director of Contracts, replacing Osama Helal.
In the scouting department, Tunisian coach Anis Boujelbane is expected to be appointed as head of scouting operations.
The restructuring is also expected to extend to youth development. Mohamed Youssef is reportedly set to lead the youth sector, supported by a Dutch technical staff tasked with overseeing development programmes.
Former Ghana international Abdel Moneim Shata is expected to become Director of Academies as part of the wider revamp.
The club is also planning to restructure other football divisions. According to the source, the Delphi team sector will be formed with Hisham Hanafi serving as football director and Samer Abdel Rahman taking the role of technical director.
Meanwhile, Al-Ahly are expected to establish a dedicated women’s football department led by Shadi Mohamed, with Ahmed Ramadan appointed as technical director.
The source added that the board would also approve a new system governing the media and advertising framework surrounding the football team. The proposal is expected to involve coordination between the football administration and the club’s football company, with agreement required from all relevant parties.
The final decision expected during Thursday’s meeting will reportedly concern sponsorship rights and commercial arrangements covering the next four seasons, underlining the scale of the transformation Al-Ahly are preparing to undertake as they attempt to recover from one of their most difficult recent campaigns.
