The Egyptian Football Association (EFA) has announced the sacking of national team coach Hossam Hassan and his coaching staff due to concerns regarding the team’s public image and overall stability.
Ali Maher, who currently coaches Ceramica Cleopatra, has been appointed as the new head coach. The decision comes after the EFA evaluated recent events that were perceived to negatively impact the national team’s reputation and cohesion, emphasizing that maintaining the team’s stability is a top priority.
The controversy surrounding Hassan intensified when the Supreme Council for Media Regulation in Egypt prohibited him from appearing in media discussions related to his former wife, Dina Mostafa, who is also known as Dan Adam. Allegations have surfaced, as Hassan’s lawyers claim that she forged official documents and engaged in bigamy, although her representatives deny these charges.
In addition to personal controversies, Hassan had faced criticism regarding his coaching decisions, notably substituting star player Mohamed Salah during a qualifier match against Angola, which subsequently led to Salah’s departure from the national team camp. Salah is set to miss an upcoming qualifier against South Sudan due to his preference against playing on artificial turf. Despite these incidents, Egypt managed to secure a decisive 5-0 victory in that match.
Former Egypt striker Mido had previously commented on the situation, stating it had spiraled out of control and urging for official intervention.
Hassan, who took the coaching role in March 2024, achieved commendable results during his tenure, guiding Egypt to the last 16 of the 2026 World Cup and reaching the semi-finals of the Africa Cup of Nations, where the team finished in fourth place. He departs with a coaching record of 21 wins, 10 draws, and seven losses in 38 matches.
