Former Egyptian goalkeeper Shérif Ekrami has commented on the recent controversy surrounding Hossam Hassan's remarks about Mohamed El-Shenawy's exclusion from the national team. Ekrami expressed his opinion on the matter, stating that the problem lies not in what Hossam Hassan wants to say, but rather in how he chooses to express himself. This issue, according to Ekrami, is not new and has been a recurring theme in Hassan's interactions with the media.
Ekrami pointed out that Hossam Hassan's comments about Mohamed El-Shenawy's exclusion from the national team were based on a technical decision. He emphasized that it is within a coach's rights to choose or exclude players for technical reasons, regardless of their reputation or history. However, Ekrami took issue with Hassan's description of El-Shenawy as a player who had reached the end of his career and was only revived by Hassan's intervention.
The former goalkeeper noted that the concept of a coach having a proprietary claim on a player's revival can shift the focus from a technical decision to a personal one. Ekrami stressed that if Hassan believed El-Shenawy's exclusion was technically justified, he should have done so without referencing his own role in the player's career resurgence. This approach, Ekrami implied, can be seen as diminishing the player's current abilities and form.
Ekrami concluded that while Hossam Hassan may not have intended to convey a particular message, the choice of words is an essential aspect of a coach's responsibility. The comments have sparked debate among football fans and pundits in Egypt, with many analyzing the implications of Hassan's statements on the team's dynamics and player relationships.
The controversy began when Hossam Hassan addressed the media after the national team's match against Angola. He explained that El-Shenawy's exclusion was a technical decision, citing the player's limited playing time with his club, Al Ahly. Hassan emphasized that El-Shenawy's injury was not a factor in his exclusion and expressed his respect for the player as one of the team's leaders.
Data from Transfermarkt shows that Mohamed El-Shenawy participated in 19 matches with Al Ahly across all competitions in the previous season. During this period, he conceded 15 goals and kept seven clean sheets. These statistics provide context for El-Shenawy's form and involvement with his club, which may have influenced Hassan's decision.
The incident has raised questions about the communication strategies employed by coaches and their impact on team morale and public perception. As the Egyptian football community continues to discuss the matter, fans and analysts will be watching closely to see how the situation unfolds and its potential effects on the national team's performance.
Key points
- Shérif Ekrami criticizes Hossam Hassan's communication style in addressing Mohamed El-Shenawy's exclusion from the national team.
- Ekrami emphasizes that technical decisions should be conveyed in a manner that avoids personal claims of responsibility for a player's career revival.
- The controversy highlights the challenges coaches face in balancing technical decisions with effective communication in the public eye.
