A familiar name, but one from uncharted territory, takes over as Egypt's new football coach. Inas Mazhar reports on the shift in direction Marco Tardelli today officially begins coaching Egypt's national football team, becoming the first Italian to take the job. Tardelli, who played on the 1982 Italian side which won the World Cup, signed a 21-month contract worth $40,000 a month. The deal will take him to the 2006 African Cup of Nations. "Tardelli is the best one to lead Egypt in the coming period," Egyptian Football Association (EFA) Chairman Essam Abdel-Moneim said following the announcement. "We have made a thorough investigation and he was praised by Italian officials of the previous clubs he worked in," Abdel- Moneim added. "He is ambitious, wants results and with Egypt we hope he gets them." Abdel-Moneim said Tardelli's contract would be renewed if the Pharaohs qualify for the 2006 World Cup in Germany. The 49-year-old, who has previously coached Inter Milan, Bari and Italy's under-21 side, is already on a rapid learning curve of football in one of Africa's most esteemed sporting nations. "He has been informed of the status of Egyptian football and is watching tapes of the national league and other matches to become familiar with Egyptian football before his arrival," Abdel-Moneim said. Tardelli will be joined by an Italian assistant, Luca Giannini, who will receive $5,300 a month. Giannini played in the 1990 World Cup. Current caretaker boss Fathi Mabrouk will become one of two assistant coaches along with Ismail Youssef. Ahmed Suleiman will coach the goalkeepers and Samir Adli will be the administrative manager. Abdel-Moneim said Tardelli's hefty salary tab will be picked up by Egyptian businessmen while the federation will pay for the Italian's lodging and car, as well as the salaries of the rest of the technical staff. A clause in Tardelli's contract stipulates that should either the EFA or the Italian decide to terminate the agreement, $100,000 will be paid to the other side. Following his appointment, Tardelli spoke to the Italian media at home about the difficulties involved in steering the Pharaohs to the 2006 World Cup. Egypt has not reached the finals of football's most prestigious event since the 1990 tournament in Italy and are desperate to return to the global stage. But earning the sole ticket from a tough qualifying group has made the new coach realise that reaching Germany will require hard work. "With the presence of Ivory Coast and Cameroon in our qualifying group, we would have to work very hard to qualify," Tardelli, whose second goal sealed Italy's famous 3-1 win over Germany in the World Cup final played in Spain, told the Italian media. "But it has been a while since they [Egypt] have been to the World Cup and I have big hopes of qualifying." In addition to his salary, Tardelli has been guaranteed a $100,000 bonus should he lead the Pharaohs to their first World Cup finals in 16 years. He will also be awarded $60,000 should Egypt win the African Cup of Nations to be held in Egypt in early 2006. Should Egypt finish second, Tardelli will receive $15,000. Tardelli admitted that his decision to manage the North African team was influenced by the positive impression he got when he travelled to Egypt to negotiate with the country's FA. "I was quite impressed by what I saw in Cairo and I am confident that I will have a good time working there," he said.
