Ahli assistant coach Hossam Al-Badri responded coyly to claims suggesting he would succeed Manuel Jose when the Portuguese leaves next year. Head coach Jose revealed at the weekend that he will see no extension to his contract after next season, and the case overshadowed the post-match conference of Ahli's 0-0 draw at Ghazl Mahalla. Jose's declaration stirred speculation over the Ahli hot seat, but Al-Badri, who is considered a major candidate, refused to comment on his own chances of taking the job. "I am really sorry; I don't want to comment on this. All I can say is that everything could happen in Football," said the Ahli second man after the game in Mahalla. Unlucky Speaking of the draw, which saw the league leaders' gap with Ismaili reduced to one point, Al-Badri believes that his side were unlucky against the resilient Mahalla. "Jose's substitutions turned the game in our favor, but we were unlucky not to score," he said. "In the first half, the game was evenly-balanced and both teams played conservatively, but in the second half we were in control."
