Al Ahly Appoints Fathi Mabrouk as Head Coach Following Champions League Exit
Al Ahly has turned to a familiar face to steady the ship after a turbulent weekend that saw the club exit the CAF Champions League and part ways with Spanish coach Juan Carlos Garrido. On Tuesday, the Cairo giants confirmed the appointment of Fathi Mabrouk as first-team manager until the end of the season.
The decision comes after failed negotiations with Hossam El Badry, the coach of Egypt’s U23 national team. El Badry had been widely tipped to return to the club he left in 2013, but talks reportedly broke down over contractual disagreements.
Instead, Mabrouk, a seasoned figure in Al Ahly’s coaching history, has been handed the reins. The veteran coach is no stranger to the club, having led Al Ahly to the Egyptian Premier League title in 2014 during a previous interim stint. He also guided the Red Devils to the Egyptian Cup title in 2003, further cementing his credentials with the country’s most successful football institution.
Mabrouk’s return comes at a critical juncture. Al Ahly’s recent exit from the Champions League—following a penalty shootout loss to Morocco’s Moghreb Tétouan in the Round of 16—was a major blow for a club that prides itself on continental dominance. As a result, Juan Carlos Garrido was dismissed, just ten months into his tenure. The Spaniard, who took over in July 2014, did leave with some silverware, notably the Egyptian Super Cup victory over Zamalek in September, but ultimately fell short of expectations.
With the Champions League dream over, Al Ahly now drops into the CAF Confederation Cup, a competition it won dramatically in 2014. Domestically, the club also remains in the race for the league title, though trailing rivals Zamalek.
Mabrouk will get his new spell underway on Wednesday, with a league clash against Al Nasr. His immediate priority will be to stabilize a side still reeling from its recent African setback and to reignite the title challenge at home.
Known for his calm demeanor and deep understanding of Al Ahly’s footballing culture, Mabrouk’s appointment is seen as a pragmatic, if temporary, solution. The club’s long-term coaching plans are likely to take shape at the season’s end.
For now, the 64-year-old tactician has one mission: restore confidence and deliver results—both domestically and in the Confederation Cup—as Al Ahly looks to salvage silverware from a season that has not gone to script.
