Ahli have enjoyed tremendous three seasons since the arrival of Manuel Jose to take over at the club for another stint, after his previous spell in the 2001/2002 season proved to be a success. However, the Portuguese manager is no stranger to controversy due to his fiery temper and notorious remarks against journalists and some of the Egyptian Football Association (EFA) officials. In an interview with Ahli official magazine, Jose spoke about his relationship with the Cairo giants, the team's latest defeats against rivals Zamalek and Ismaili, his contract extension and his reasons for attacking EFA vice-president Ahmed Shobeir. Q Why have you been so late in signing a contract extension? You have forgot to mention that many people suggested I'm on my way to leave the club but I signed a new contract before the end of the season, is this considered a late time to pen a new deal? Q Why did you sign just a one-year extension although you do always put pen-to-paper on longer deals? This was the decision of Ahli board, I had the choice to accept the offer or turn it down. Some papers kept on telling lies about my situation with the club and it came to me as no surprise because they usually use my name to increase the number of their readers. Q Were there certain persons trying to push you out of the club? Definitely, it is normal that there were conspiracies against the whole technical staff, not only Jose, because we achieved 10 titles out of 10 with Ahli. My success is a good reason for our enemies to show their envy. Q You are not the first foreigner to come and coach in Egypt, why the attack is being aimed at you specifically? No offense to other coaches but me and my technical staff have been successful and that's why we are being attacked. Moreover, I always accuse the EFA officials of failing to manage Egyptian football and they surely don't like this. I directly criticize Shobeir but when he tries to reply he attacks my translator Ahmed Abdou, he is not brave enough to face me. Q Does your argument with Shobeir is due to the dispute that happened between both of you in Ahli's changing room?
But furious at Shobeir! No, it is not true. I will reveal something that nobody knows. My relationship with Egypt boss Hassan Shehata was demolished two years ago because Shobeir informed him, in someway or another, that I want take his post beside my role with Ahli. Shobeir even phoned me and offered Egypt's managerial role but I told him I will neither betray a career colleague nor be disloyal to Ahli. Shehata must be furious with Shobeir not with me because I did nothing wrong. Q Some people said you have flown to Portugal towards the season's end to escape Ahli's last two Egyptian League matches against Zamalek and Ismaili, do you agree? Yes I completely agree, I'm also ready to leave Egypt again before Ahli's cup semi-final clash against Ismaili. This question can't be replied except with such sarcastic words. Q Who took the decision of resting Ahli's key players before the two popular matches after the team secured the Egyptian League title? I had the idea to rest the players and Ahli's football committee agreed so there was no problem in taking the decision. Q What about your own holiday? In the last two years I spent just 28 days as a holiday while my contract indicates that I can have a 60-day vacation. I'm a human being and have my own private life. Q Did you expect Ahli's defeats against Zamalek and Ismaili? All what I know is that we played without nine regulars, Zamalek and Ismaili wanted to save their season and they were over the moon to have beaten Ahli although any big team normally suffers if one star is missing. Q Will these defeats mount pressure on Ahli in their upcoming cup
