Egypt are preparing to offer Argentinean coach Hector Cuper a new four-year contract that would keep him in charge of the Pharaohs until the 2022 World Cup, a board member of the Egyptian Football Association (EFA) said on Monday. Cuper was appointed as Egypt's head coach in March 2015, and his current deal expires after the 2018 World Cup. "Negotiations are going well so far, we will offer him a four-year contract. He already has a plan for the 2022 World Cup and needs to be given the chance to implement it," Essam Abdel-Fattah told a radio programme today. The 62-year-old tactician has made a huge impact with the Pharaohs, leading them to the final of the 2017 African Nations Cup following a seven-year drought from the continent's elite competition, as well as helping the team qualify for the World Cup for the first time since 1990. However, Cuper has been repeatedly criticised by fans for what has been described as boring displays and defensive-minded games. EFA president Hany Abo Rida said last week that the Argentinean has welcomed the opportunity to extend his stay, but has asked to postpone negotiations until after the World Cup next month. (For more sports news and updates, follow Ahram Online Sports on Twitter at @AO_Sports and on Facebook at AhramOnlineSports.)
