CAIRO: French boss Henri Michel revealed the requests he submitted to Zamalek s board before signing the two-year contract extension which will keep him at the club until 2009. I demanded new medical and physical facilities as well as a gymnasium center, Michel told a press conference at Zamalek s headquarters on Saturday. The former Ivory Coast boss referred to the poor facilities the Cairo giants have had over years, which do not live up to Zamalek s status as one of the most powerful African teams. Zamalek chairman Mamdouh Abbas firmly agreed, insisting that all Michel s requests will be fulfilled. There is a new challenge ahead of me. I had guarantees from the board that my demands, which are included in the new contract, will be accepted in order to lift Zamalek out of their crisis, Michel added. Zamalek produced fine results in the Egyptian League but were dumped out of the CAF Champions League and Arab Champions League during the Frenchman s four-month spell so far. The 59-year-old refused to discuss anything related to the players, stressing that the conference was held to reveal the new contract s details. Michel said that there was no need to include a buy-out clause because he always respects his deals.
