Egyptian Premier League club ENNPI announced Thursday the appointment of Hossam El-Badry as coach, succeeding Mokhtar Mokhtar who was fired on Tuesday after the team's poor run of results. “The ENNPI board have reached an agreement with coach Hossam El-Badry to lead the football team,” read a statement on the club's official website. The petroleum side are currently struggling in the bottom of the Egyptian Premier League with only six points from nine matches leaving them in 16th place.## Mokhtar had led ENNPI to the Egypt Cup against Zamalek in October before the surprising downturn in form which saw the side win only one league match. The 51-year-old tactician, El-Badry, is expected to start in his new position Thursday afternoon to prepare for Friday's clash against El-Entag El-Harby. Sources confirmed to Ahram Online that he has signed a two-season contract. El-Badry served as assistant to Portuguese manager Manuel Jose at Ahly for years before taking over from him in 2009. He went on that year to lead the club to its 35th Egyptian Premier League title. In the same season, Ahly made it to the Egypt Cup final and African Champions League semi-final before Jose returned for his third spell in charge of the Cairo giants. His next move was south to Sudanese club Merreikh with who he clinched the domestic title a few weeks ago, ending their three-year trophy drought. His success had moved the club's board to seek an extension to his contract, but El-Badry preferred returning to Egypt. El-Badry spent his entire playing career as a defender at Ahly, where his outstanding performances led the fans to nickname him "the botcher." A serious knee injury forced him to retire early in 1984. (For more sports news and updates, follow Ahram Online sports on Twitter: @AO_Sports)
