Ahli coach Hossam Al-Badri insisted he was not bothered by reports suggesting that his employers are considering bringing in a foreign tactician instead of him. Al-Badri has been heavily criticized following Ahli's 1-1 draw at home to Algeria's JS Kabylie in the African Champions League Group B clash last Sunday. The Red Devils also started the defense of their Egyptian Premier League title in an unconvincing fashion, drawing twice in their first three games. "I don't care about any rumors saying that a foreign coach will arrive to take charge of Ahli," Al-Badri said on the club's official website on Thursday. "I'm confident that the club's board of directors and football committee are supporting me. "I'm just concentrated on the tasks ahead of me. I want to improve the team and lead them to wins in the local and African competitions." Al-Badri has struggled to win over Ahli's fans since replacing Portuguese coach Manuel Jose, who steered the Red Devils to a host of titles on all fronts during a glorious five-year reign, in the summer of 2009.
Ahli were held to a disappointing draw by Kabylie Ahli won a sixth consecutive league title, reached the Egyptian Cup final and qualified for the Champions League group stage in Al-Badri's first season at the helm. But he remains an unpopular figure though. "I respect the reaction of the fans following our draw with Kabylie," Al-Badri added. "I said after the game that I was responsible for that result. It is very important for the coach to lift the burden off his players." Ahli lie second in their Champions League group with five points from four games, five behind leaders Kabylie who booked their place in the semi finals. Heartland of Nigeria are third on four points while Egyptian coastal side Ismaili lie at the bottom with three. Ahli need to beat Heartland at home and avoid a defeat at Ismaili in their remaining two games to ensure their progress to the semi finals of the competition they won a record six times.
