Ahly's Jose welcomes Fathi's move to Europe

Ahly's Portuguese coach says he will allow midfielder Ahmed Fathi to play in Europe pending a high offer and welcomes Hassan Shehata's arrival at rivals Zamalek, anticipating tough competition next season

Ahly coach Manuel Jose has revealed he would be willing to let his midfielder Ahmed Fathi leave the club if he received a large offer for the player from a European team.
“Fathi is a great player and we will allow him to leave Ahly if he receives an offer that will enable us to rebuild the team," Jose said during a television interview.
The Portuguese tactician also revealed that he has decided to remove midfielder Ahmed Hassan from the squad due to his age -- 37 years old -- and Jose's belief he will be unable to give the team any more than he already has.
"Ahly's squad is full of midfielders who are eager to get a place next season and they have a lot to do, while Hassan's age will bar him from achieving more," Jose said.
The 65-year-old coach declared that Ahly's Algerian forward Amir Sayod needs only one year to book a regular place in the team's line-up, having recently walked in to become one of Ahly's most important players right away.
"I refused to offload Sayod from the Ahly squad when I took charge of the team last season, as he will save a regular place soon," said the team's Portuguese manager.
Jose concluded his interview by congratulating former Egypt coach, Hassan Shehata, on his becoming manager at Zamalek, saying next season's Egyptian League will present a tough challenge.
"Shehata is an ambitious tactician and the competition with him will be different next season as he doesn't fear losing," said the Ahly coach.