Back in town
Desperate for help, Ahli have turned to a familiar face to help stop their slide. Inas Mazhar reports
The former coach of Egyptian football team Ahli has returned to help rescue the squad after several shocking performances. Portuguese Manuel Jose is expected to arrive in Cairo today, replacing his compatriot Tony Oliviera.
A string of disastrous results has seen the club, voted Africa's best soccer squad of the 20th century, anything but champions. They exited from the African Champions league after being drubbed 4-0 by Nigeria's Rangers. Ismaili of Egypt administered an equally embarrassing defeat by the same score in the Arab Champions League, almost ensuring that Ahli will depart that tournament as well. And the club is currently languishing in ninth place in the local league after eight matches, a virtually insurmountable 12 points behind leaders Zamalek.
After several weeks of haggling over what to do, it was finally decided to rehire Jose, although it should be noted that the decision was far from unanimous. Board members Mahmoud El- Khatib and Yassin Mansour flew to Portugal to discuss with Jose the finer points of his contract.
The new head coach will start work by watching Ahli take on Mansoura in the league. However, Jose will be watching from the stands as a spectator. Interim Egyptian coach Fathi Mabrouk will be in charge until Jose makes his official debut on 1 December with Ahli meeting Tersana.
In the negotiations with the club, the Portuguese asked that he be the sole person in charge of the team. He asked for the right to select his assistants and all members of the technical staff, demanding in the process the return of goalkeeper coach Ahmed Nagi instead of Ekrami. Nagi, who currently works in Al-Ittihad club in Libya, was credited for bringing to form keeper Essam El-Hadari.
In perhaps his toughest condition, which remains unresolved, Jose wants Ahli to abolish the post of football director, currently occupied by Sabet El-Batal. Jose has said that there was no need for such a position which, as he sees it, clashes with his wish to be fully responsible for the team.
Jose, who will receive $450,000 in 18 months of work, in addition to an apartment, car and bonuses, has also asked that he not be blamed for what looks like a championship-free season for Ahli this year. He said that his main task this season was to "build and create a new team", adding that he could be made accountable next year.
Ahli was forced to pay 125,000 euros to Jose's Portuguese club to leave them before his contract expired. Board member Mansour paid the money himself.
Oliviera made $25,000 a month during his five-month tenure and was paid a lump sum of $80,000 after he was let go by Ahli, as was stipulated in his contract.
Al-Ahram Weekly Online : 27 November - 3 December 2003 (Issue No. 666)
Located at: http://weekly.ahram.org.eg/2003/666/sp2.htm