Egypt’s national football coach Hossam Hassan was dismissed on Saturday by the Egyptian Football Association (EFA) after the federation said he had a “negative impact on the positive image of the team.” The EFA issued a brief statement, noting that maintaining the team’s stability is a paramount priority that cannot be compromised.
Media reports suggest the decision may be linked to Hassan’s personal life rather than on‑field disputes with players, including star forward Mohamed Salah. Last week, the Supreme Council for Media Regulation banned Hassan from appearing in all media outlets, an unprecedented move against a national coach following public disputes in his personal life.
Hassan, appointed in 2024, was the first former Egypt player to coach the national team at a World Cup this year, though Egypt exited in the last 16 after a loss to Argentina. The EFA has named former Premier League coach Ali Maher, who currently leads fourth‑placed Ceramica Cleopatra, as Hassan’s immediate replacement.
Maher faces a tight schedule, as Egypt will face Malawi on November 13 and 17 in qualifying for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations, with Egypt topping Group B. The federation hopes the new coach can quickly stabilise the squad and preserve the team’s image moving forward.
