Shreef El-Khashab, former Egyptian football player and current sports director at Ghazl El-Mahalla club, recently shared his insights on the national team's performance. El-Khashab highlighted the need for Egypt's national team coach, Hossam Hassan, to focus on building stronger relationships with the players. This is particularly crucial given the sensitivity of Hassan's position and the importance of the upcoming phase.
El-Khashab's comments came during an analysis of Egypt's match against South Sudan on the radio program "Melab Ef FM". He stressed that every word spoken by the national team coach receives significant attention and can have repercussions both on and off the field. El-Khashab emphasized that Hassan must be aware of the nature of his position as the national team's coach.
According to El-Khashab, Hossam Hassan needs to boost his self-confidence and get closer to the players, especially those who do not regularly participate. The coach should work on psychologically supporting these players and maintaining their readiness. El-Khashab noted that players who do not participate need more support and attention than regular players.
El-Khashab also discussed the importance of handling star players differently, considering their influence within the team's dressing room. He emphasized that showing appreciation to key players does not undermine the coach's authority but can instead foster harmony within the team. El-Khashab cited the example of Mohamed Salah, the team's captain, who represents a significant value within the squad.
The relationship between the coaching staff and Mohamed Salah is crucial, according to El-Khashab. He suggested that Hassan should utilize Salah's value rather than engaging in conflicts that could affect the team's atmosphere. El-Khashab also mentioned the importance of dealing positively with Mohamed El-Shenawy, the team's goalkeeper and Al Ahly captain.
Egypt's national team recently secured a broad victory against South Sudan, winning 5-0 in a 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match. This victory brought Egypt to the top of Group 2 with 4 points from two matches. Malawi occupies the second spot with 3 points from one match, while Angola has 1 point from one match, and South Sudan is at the bottom without any points.
El-Khashab concluded that the success of the national team's coach is largely dependent on his ability to gain the trust of the players. When players feel appreciated and confident in their coach, they can deliver performances that exceed expectations. The upcoming phase requires greater focus from the coaching staff, with goals extending beyond achieving expected results in matches to preparing optimally for major competitions, particularly the Africa Cup of Nations.
Key points
- Shreef El-Khashab emphasizes the need for Hossam Hassan to build stronger relationships with the players and be cautious with his media statements.
