Moroccan coach Hussein Ammouta will now arrive in Cairo on Sunday, with his first official appearance at Al Ahly expected the following day as the club begins preparations for the new season.
Al Ahly’s newly appointed technical director Hussein Ammouta has delayed his planned arrival in Cairo by 48 hours, according to a club source.
The Moroccan coach had been expected in the Egyptian capital on Friday evening to begin work with the club ahead of the new campaign. However, he is now due to arrive on Sunday alongside the rest of his coaching staff.
Ammouta is expected to make his first official appearance at Al Ahly on Monday, when he will begin the early stages of the team’s pre-season programme.
The former Moroccan international coach was recently named as the new technical director of Al Ahly’s first team, replacing Danish coach Jess Torup, who was removed from his role after a run of disappointing results.
First meeting planned with Wael Gomaa
An official source at Al Ahly told WinWin that Ammouta’s first day at the club will include discussions with director of football Wael Gomaa.
The meeting is expected to focus on the coach’s requirements for the coming season, including arrangements for the squad’s preparation period and wider technical plans.
The source said: “Hussein Ammouta will officially appear inside Al Ahly Club for the first time next Monday, and there will be a meeting with Wael Gomaa, the football director, to coordinate all his demands for the new season.”
Ammouta will then oversee the beginning of the team’s preparations later that day, with players set to report for fitness assessments and full medical checks.
The source added: “Ammouta will lead the start of the team’s preparation period on the same day in preparation for the new season, where all players will undergo physical measurements and comprehensive medical examinations before there is a training program until the start of the external camp, the final date of which has not yet been determined.”
New coaching team takes shape
Al Ahly have also confirmed the personnel who will work alongside Ammouta as he takes charge of the club’s new project.
Yasser Radwan has been appointed assistant coach, while Wael Gomaa will serve as director of football. Moroccan coach Hisham Zahid is also part of the technical team.
Dutch coach Joe Botwer will take responsibility for goalkeeping, while Brazilian Renato has been named fitness coach.
The new staff will be tasked with rebuilding momentum at one of Egypt’s biggest clubs after a season in which Al Ahly did not secure any major trophies.
The club are expected to hold a domestic training programme before travelling for an external camp, although the date and location of that camp have yet to be confirmed.
Focus on a return to silverware
Al Ahly enter the new season under pressure to return to winning ways after falling short of their usual standards during the previous campaign.
Ammouta’s arrival is viewed as the start of a fresh chapter, with the club seeking improved results and a renewed challenge for major honours.
Board member and acting general supervisor of football Sayed Abdel-Hafiz is currently in France with his family. He is expected to return to Cairo on Monday, the same day Ammouta begins his official duties.
With pre-season testing due to begin immediately, the club will be looking for the new coach and his staff to establish their plans quickly before the squad’s external camp and the start of competitive action.
