Egypt icon Hossam Hassan is expected to be named new Zamalek manager in the upcoming hours. Zamalek sacked Henri Michel on Sunday night after losing 2-0 to Police Union, the fourth defeat in seven league games under the French coach. The former Zamalek star would be the team's third manager after just 10 games into the league, following Michel and Swiss manager Michel Decastel, who was axed after three matches. "We are choosing between Hassan and (Mansoura manager) Mohamed Helmi," a club spokesman said following an emergency board meeting on Sunday. Hassan seems in pole position for the post after being already contacted by Zamalek board member and former skipper Hazem Emam.
Hassan with Mido in the national team "Hazem called me to ask if I am interested and I said yes," Hassan told Modern Sport TV. "But there is no deal yet. The final decision will be taken on Monday night," he added in a phone call from Dubai. Emam has nominated Hassan to take the role since the club fired Decastel. Both partnered for four years in Zamalek front line, steering the team to winning three league titles, one Egyptian Cup trophy as well as the African Champions League. Hassan and Emam were the most prominent figures in the Egyptian national team that won the African Cup of Nations in 1998.
Hassan in Zamalek shirt Coaching Credentials? Hassan, 43, was initially refused by the board to succeed Decastel because of lacking coaching credentials. As a player, Hassan had 170 international caps throughout 21 years, scoring 83 goals. He played for Ahli, Zamalek, Ittihad Alexandria, Masri and Tersana as well as joining Swiss side Neuchatel. Hassan played alongside several current Zamalek players such as Mido, Amr Zaki, Abdul-Wahed Al-Sayed and Hassan Mostafa either in the club or the national team.
I have what it takes to coach Zamalek Hossam Hassan But Hassan has just a three-year experience as manager, coaching Masri for less then two seasons before moving to Telecom Egypt. He registered remarkable results with Masri but couldn't save Telecom Egypt from relegation and resigned halfway into their second-division campaign. "I have what it takes to coach Zamalek," Hassan said in response to doubts raised after his nomination. "Zamalek have some of the best Egyptian players. They need discipline, character and some tactical work." Zamalek will play Harras Al-Hodoud on Thursday before taking on Ahli in the Cairo derby on the eighth of December.
