Journeyman Mido eyes stability he hasn't had

European football no longer appeals to Zamalek's new signing, Mido, who wants to spend the rest of his career in Egypt

Ahmed Hossam ‘Mido' has brought his 10-year European adventure to an end.
The towering striker burst onto the scene as a 17-year-old prodigy and quickly embarked upon a successful yet unstable European journey that saw him play for nine different clubs during the past decade.
Although from the very beginning he was tipped to become Egypt's longest-serving player in Europe, Mido cut a forlorn figuresitting on the bench of Dutch giants Ajax Amsterdam lately and eventually opted to return to Cairo's Zamalek, his boyhood club.
“I want to spend six or seven years here before retiring from football,” the 27-year-old said in a television interview after penning a three-and-a-half year contract with Zamalek on Saturday.
“I came here to help Zamalek win trophies. I did not join the club because they top the Egyptian league now; I would have joined them anyway regardless of their position.”
Mido's announcement that he would retire playing for Zamalek was somewhat surprising, given his huge ambition, which motivated him to carry on where his compatriot Hany Ramzy left off in Europe.
Former Egypt defender Ramzy, now the national Olympic team coach, sidestepped the homesickness — which sealed the fate of many Egyptian players in the old continent—to carve out a successful 16-year career in Swiss and German football.
Football-wise, Mido was even more successful.
He helped Ajax win the domestic double in 2002 and led Spanish side Celta Vigo to an unusual European Champions League qualification during a brief loan spell one year later.
He went on to enjoy further success at French side Marseilles and English Premier League club Tottenham Hotspur, where he forged a fine partnership with Irish striker Robbie Keane.
But the then temperamental striker — who also played for English trio Middlesbrough, West Ham and Wigan Athletic and Italian side AS Roma—struggled to ditch a bad boy image that landed him in numerous troubles.
“I have to admit that I made mistakes when I was young. However, I only had problems with three coaches: (former Ajax manager) Ronald Koeman, (former Egypt manager) Marco Tardelli and (current Egypt manager) Hassan Shehata.
“Lack of stability also affected me but I think no other Arab player can emulate the success I had in European football.
“I had offers from English clubs West Bromwich and Blackpool and Spanish clubs Deportivo La Coruna and Espanyol recently. I respect them but I no longer want to play for modest clubs.”
Target man
Mido could perfectly fit into a Zamalek side struggling to find a target man, whose presence is sorely needed in the strategy of coach Hossam Hassan.
Hassan, a former prolific striker himself, opts to field a lone striker in front of three attacking midfielders. However, the likes of Abou Kone and Ahmed Gaafar failed to play that role successfully.
Mido's aerial prowess and ability to hold on to the ball under pressure could instill the missing aspect of Hassan's formula.
He said he was also eager to make up for a disappointing and brief spell with Zamalek last season, during which he scored one goal in 15 appearances before departing in the January transfer window to join West Ham United.
“I haven't done anything for Zamalek so far. I want to make history here,” said Mido, who looked enthusiastic and determined to avoid the kind of distractions which disrupted his previous spell with the White Knights.
“I was not fully ready last season, I had fitness problems. This term I feel I'm in the best shape to make a fine impact."
Mido could also have a chance to resurrect his Egypt career, having fallen out of favour with Shehata due to the same fitness problems.
Shehata, who was involved in an infamous touchline row with Mido during the 2006 African Cup of Nations semifinal between Egypt and Senegal, said recently he would call him up if he regained his fitness.
Mido last played for the Pharaohs in a friendly game against Malawi in December 2009.
“I have no problems with Shehata now. I will be available whenever he needs me in the national team,” he commented.