Zamalek board member Ahmed Suleiman has said the club has no intention of selling Brazilian forward Juan Bezerra despite receiving a significant offer for the player, while also providing fresh details about the departure of former sporting director John Edward and a series of issues affecting the football department.
Speaking in televised remarks ahead of the new Egyptian football season, Suleiman addressed several of the club’s most prominent off-field matters, including transfer speculation, coaching decisions, financial challenges and the creation of Zamalek’s football company.
His comments come as the club prepares for the new campaign following a period of administrative change.
Suleiman began by reflecting on the financial difficulties Zamalek had faced in recent months, saying one of the club’s biggest challenges had been resolving issues that prevented it from registering new players.
According to the board member, club officials worked to raise the necessary funds to settle cases lodged against Zamalek with FIFA, allowing the club to obtain the licences required to compete in domestic and continental competitions.
He also shed light on the circumstances surrounding the departure of sporting director John Edward.
Suleiman said Edward favoured appointing a foreign head coach instead of Moataz Gamal, despite Gamal leading the club to the Egyptian League title.
The board, however, decided against making that change.
Suleiman explained that the board believed Gamal’s recent success justified retaining him in charge.
He also revealed that differences over decision-making contributed to Edward’s departure.
“Personally, I wished John Edward success and that he would continue in his position, but he left because he did not adhere to the terms of his contract, which stipulated that the decision was up to the board of directors, and he tried to impose changes on the technical staff, which caused a difference of opinion.”
Suleiman added that, despite serving on the board of directors, he had not seen any proposed contract involving Serbian coach Vuk Razovic.
He said he had little involvement in football matters during the period in question because, apart from the appointment of Moataz Gamal, John Edward had been responsible for making football-related decisions.
Addressing reports concerning unrest within the playing squad, Suleiman dismissed suggestions that players had refused to take part in training because of unpaid wages.
He said he had personally asked members of the squad about the reports and that they had denied the claims.
The board member also discussed the establishment of Zamalek’s football company, insisting the project had no connection with John Edward’s departure.
According to Suleiman, the initiative was handled directly by the board of directors, with the necessary procedures completed eight months earlier before the company was officially activated during a recent board meeting.
However, he revealed that he chose to withdraw from that meeting in protest.
Suleiman objected to the proposed ownership structure, arguing that the offer would leave Zamalek with a stake of less than 49% in the football company.
He said such an arrangement should require approval from both the club’s administrative body and its general assembly.
He also expressed concern over the valuation of Zamalek’s assets, saying the proposed assessment failed to reflect the club’s history and standing.
Turning to the football budget, Suleiman disclosed that spending on the first team during John Edward’s tenure had been twice as high as in previous seasons.
He added that he was unable to compare Zamalek’s expenditure with that of rivals Al Ahly because he did not know the figures involved.
Suleiman also criticised Edward’s desire to reshape the squad that had won the Egyptian League title under Moataz Gamal.
Despite those disagreements, he acknowledged one aspect of Edward’s work that he regarded as a success.
He described the signing of Brazilian forward Juan Bezerra as one of the sporting director’s most positive achievements, revealing that the transfer cost the club 1.8 million US dollars.
According to Suleiman, the player has justified that investment through his performances.
He confirmed that Bezerra has recently attracted a strong offer from another club but made clear that Zamalek have no plans to sanction a transfer.
“Bezerra recently received a strong offer, but we are not considering his departure. We have learned our lesson well by paying the foreign players their dues regularly.”
His remarks underline Zamalek’s intention to retain one of their key players as the club seeks stability both on and off the pitch before the start of the new season.
