The Wydad can take the opportunity to afford Swiss coach Marcel Koller who has just left Al Ahly from Cairo
This article was automatically translated from HIBAPRESS, the Arabic version:
Hibapress-Rabat-Caf
The Egyptian giant Al Ahly officially ended his collaboration with his coach Marcel Koller, after the failure in the semi-final of the Totalnergies Champions League.
The club confirmed the departure of the Swiss tactician on Saturday evening, in the wake of its elimination by the Mamelodi Sundowns from South Africa.
After bringing back a virgin draw from Pretoria, the Egyptian club conceded another 1-1 parity score on Friday at the Cairo International Stadium. But the goal conceded at home allowed South Africans to progress thanks to the rule of goals outside.
Al Ahly said in a press release that “negotiations are underway with Koller to end the contract by mutual consent between the two parties, in a way suitable for the club and to his coach. »»
The most crowned club in the Totalnergies Champions League continued: “Al-Ahly confirms his pride of what Koller has accomplished, because he gave everything he could with his assistants who also deserve thanks. »»
Koller’s eviction comes 50 days from the start of the FIFA 2025 club World Cup in the United States, a major competition that Al Ahly was aimed at his direction.
Sources within the club indicate that an interim technical staff will be appointed to lead the group from Sunday. At the same time, the management of the Egyptian club would prepare to honor Koller during a special farewell ceremony.
Koller, who took the head of Al Ahly in September 2022, was a resounding success with the Egyptian club. He notably allowed him to win the last two editions of the Totalnergies Champions League (2023 and 2024).
His record at the head of the Egyptian Red Devils displays 159 official games, for 108 victories, 33 draws and 17 defeats.
However, the 2024-25 season in progress proved to be more difficult under his orders. After losing the CAF super cup against the Zamalek rivals, Al Ahly was eliminated in the semi-finals of the Intercontinental Cup and was late in the Egyptian League on the FC pyramids at the top of the championship.
The decision to separate from Koller follows an increasing pressure from supporters after a series of disappointing performances both locally and on the international scene.
Despite recent tensions, Al Ahly clearly expressed in his communication, his recognition for work shot down by Koller and his contribution which made it possible to further expand the list of the team. The coach himself had already expressed his pride in directing one of the most prosperous clubs in Africa.
Al Ahly embarks on looking for a new permanent manager before the Club World Cup campaign. But in the meantime, the temporary staff will be called upon to stabilize the ship.
Koller leaves Cairo with his intact reputation, after adding new lines to the illustrious story of the Red Devils even if his last months at the head of the club turned out to be rather agitated.
