The Egyptian Football Federation announced on November 7 that it had terminated its contract with national team coach Hossam Hassan and his staff. The decision was made after reviewing the circumstances and events that occurred during Hassan's tenure, which had a negative impact on the team's image and stability. Hassan had been in charge since 2024 and had led the team to the World Cup for the first time in eight years.
Hassan had achieved some notable successes, including a win over New Zealand in the World Cup, and reaching the semi-finals of the Africa Cup of Nations. However, he was often criticized for his tensions with star player Mohamed Salah and his personal life, which was frequently reported in the media. Despite extending his contract until 2030, the federation ultimately decided to part ways with him.
Ali Maher, who was coaching Ceramica Cleopatra in the Egyptian Premier League, has been appointed as Hassan's replacement. Maher had won the Egyptian League Cup with Ceramica Cleopatra in 2025. The Egyptian national team is currently top of Group B in the CAN 2027 qualifiers and will face Malawi in two matches on November 13 and 17.
The Egyptian Football Federation stated that it had made the decision to terminate Hassan's contract in accordance with the terms of his agreement. The federation did not provide further details on the reasons behind the decision. Hassan is the second-most capped player in Egyptian history and had a long and distinguished career as a player.
Under Hassan's leadership, Egypt had a successful run in the Africa Cup of Nations, reaching the semi-finals, where they lost to Senegal. The team also achieved a historic win over New Zealand in the World Cup, which was their first victory in the tournament. Despite these successes, Hassan's tenure was marked by controversy and criticism.
The appointment of Ali Maher as the new coach is seen as a surprise move, given his relatively modest achievements with Ceramica Cleopatra. However, the federation is hoping that Maher will bring a fresh perspective and help the team achieve success in the CAN 2027 qualifiers. The team's next matches against Malawi will be crucial in determining their chances of advancing to the tournament.
The Egyptian national team's performance has been inconsistent in recent years, and the federation is under pressure to achieve success. The team has a talented squad, including star player Mohamed Salah, and the fans are expecting a strong showing in the CAN 2027 qualifiers. The federation will be hoping that the appointment of Ali Maher will bring a new era of success for Egyptian football.
Key points
- Egyptian Football Federation terminates contract with coach Hossam Hassan, citing negative impact on team's image and stability.
- Ali Maher appointed as new coach, having previously coached Ceramica Cleopatra in the Egyptian Premier League.
- Egypt's national team will face Malawi in two matches on November 13 and 17 in the CAN 2027 qualifiers.
