Zamalek Club President Mortada Mansour said he presented several offers to Patrice Carteron to stay at the coaching seat but he failed, adding that a mission will travel to Europe soon to hire a new coach. French coach Carteron abruptly terminated his contract with the club, just a few weeks ahead of the club's anticipated clash with Raja Casablanca in the Champions League semis.
“I'm shocked and sad about Carteron's decision, because we hoped he continued with us for only one month until the end of the African Champions League,” said Mansour.
“We tried to dissuade Carteron from leaving, but he made his decision. We will appoint a temporary technical staff. We have an emergency now and the interim national technical staff will do everything possible to overcome this current stage,” he added.
Zamalek board settled on assigning the juniors sector manager in the club Tarek Yehia as the caretaker during the current period until they find a new coach. This will be the second time Yehia leads the Whites after he had coached the team in 2017.
“A delegation from Zamalek will travel to Europe to look for a coach at the highest levels befitting Zamalek, who will lead the team in the African Champions League and next season,” said Mansour.
He revealed that the delegation will include board members Ismail Youssef and Ahmed Mortada, and football director Amir Mortada.
After terminating his contract with the Whites there were reports Carteron will join the Saudi club Al-Taawon on a two-year contract to lead the team to winning the Asian Champions League.
The former TP Mazembe, Raja and Ahly coach made a great impact on the club, helping the White Knights win the African and Egyptian Super Cups in February, and gaining huge popularity in the process.
Under his management, the club beat arch-rivals Ahly twice; in the Super Cup in February on penalties (4-3) and in the league in August 3-1.
The club is set to face Moroccan side Raja for the Champions League semis on a two-legged tie on 18 and 24 October.
Under Carteron's guidance Zamalek have played 31 matches in all fronts, and have won 19, held nine and garnered three defeats.
Zamalek are now second in the league table with 55 points, 17 points behind leaders Ahly who need two points from the remaining seven games to clinch a fifth successive league title and the 42nd in club history.
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