2027 AFCON Qualifiers: Hossam Hassan shown the exit as Egypt appoint Ali Maher ahead of Malawi double-header

Egypt have sacked head coach Hossam Hassan and his entire technical and administrative team, appointing Ali Maher as his replacement just days before their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying double-header against Malawi.

The Egyptian Football Association (EFA) confirmed the decision following a board meeting to assess recent developments surrounding the national team, bringing an end to Hassan’s tenure after nearly three years in charge.

The federation cited recent incidents that had affected the image and stability of the national team as reasons behind the decision, with the change coming at a crucial stage of Egypt’s preparations for the next phase of their AFCON qualifying campaign.

Maher, 52, has been handed the responsibility of steering the Pharaohs through the upcoming international fixtures and will be expected to submit a proposal outlining the composition of his new technical team.

The appointment leaves the former Ceramica Cleopatra coach with little time to settle into his new role, with Egypt scheduled to face Malawi on November 13 and 17 in the third and fourth rounds of the 2027 AFCON qualifiers.

Hassan’s Egypt reign ends amid controversy

Hassan’s departure comes despite overseeing a relatively successful period on the pitch, having guided Egypt to the semi-finals of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations before leading the country to the round of 16 at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

He was appointed in February 2024 and had been tasked with restoring Egypt’s position among Africa’s leading football nations.

However, his final months in charge were overshadowed by a series of public controversies and reported disagreements within the national team setup.

Among the issues attracting attention were reports of tensions involving Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah, raising questions about the relationship between the coach and some members of his squad.

The latest developments reportedly contributed to the growing uncertainty surrounding Hassan’s position, eventually prompting the EFA to make a significant change to its technical leadership.

The dismissal also extends beyond the head coach, with the federation opting to release his entire coaching and administrative staff as it begins a fresh chapter under Maher.

Ali Maher handed major Egypt assignment

Maher takes over following an impressive spell with Ceramica Cleopatra, where he established himself as one of the coaches making an impact in Egyptian domestic football.

His achievements include guiding the club to the 2024-25 Egyptian League Cup title and securing a fourth-place finish in the Egyptian Premier League last season.

Those performances have earned him the opportunity to lead the national team, although managing Egypt presents a considerably different challenge from his previous club responsibilities.

He must quickly establish his authority, assemble a technical team and identify the players who will form his first squad.

The new coach will also inherit an experienced group that recently competed at the World Cup, with expectations high for Egypt to maintain their standing among the continent’s strongest national teams.

Malawi double-header awaits new coach

Maher’s immediate priority will be Egypt’s two encounters against Malawi, with the results potentially shaping the early direction of his tenure.

The Pharaohs currently lead Group B with four points after opening their qualifying campaign with a victory over South Sudan and a draw against Angola.

They will begin preparations on November 9 at the National Teams Center, giving Maher only a few days to work with his players before the first encounter.

The back-to-back fixtures on November 13 and 17 will therefore provide an early examination of his ability to manage the national team under pressure.