Egyptian champions Ahly said on Friday that the fate of coach Rene Weiler will be decided Thursday amid reports that the Swiss had turned down the club's offer to stay until the end of their African Champions League campaign. Widespread reports said Weiler is keen to take advantage of a clause in his contract that would allow him to leave without paying any release clauses in the first 10 days of October. In June, Ahly extended the 47-year-old's deal for another season after a superb domestic campaign but he took them by surprise after telling them he needed some time off with his family to discuss his future. Reports said Weiler had his request to take five days off in October rejected by Ahly, who fear he would fly to Switzerland and not come back while the Red Devils gear up for a vital clash against Morocco's Wydad in the Champions League semis next month. "The club's board has set the coming Thursday as a final date to announce its position on Rene Weiler, the coach of the first team," Ahly said in a brief statement on their official website. "This would come after the clarification of all matters, and in light of the terms of the contract made with the coach." Ahly also denied naming a replacement for Weiler, rebuffing reports that former defender Mohamed Youssef is already lined up to take over. Youssef, now without a job, led the Cairo giants to the last of their record eight Champions League titles in 2013. Under Weiler, Ahly were crowned Egyptian champions for a fifth straight season with six rounds to spare earlier this month. They also won the Egyptian Super Cup last year and qualified for the last four of the Champions League. (For more sports news and updates, follow Ahram Online Sports on Twitter at @AO_Sports and on Facebook at AhramOnlineSports.)
