Danish manager Jess Thorup has officially landed in Cairo, beginning his journey as the new head coach of Egyptian football giants Al Ahly.
Thorup, 55, touched down on Thursday evening, accompanied by Al Ahly’s head of recruitment, Osama Hilal, after signing a two-and-a-half-year contract with the club.
Al Ahly’s management, led by President Mahmoud El Khatib, conducted an exhaustive search and deliberated over several candidates before unanimously selecting Thorup, who is renowned for his tactical acumen and modern approach to high-pressure, organized football. The contract includes flexible clauses allowing for review and adjustment at the end of next season, ensuring both parties’ ambitions are aligned.
Details of the deal were finalized confidentially, with Thorup set to earn €250,000 per month alongside a five-member support staff. The club hopes Thorup’s experience restoring teams to glory, as seen during his time with clubs in Denmark, Norway, Austria, Belgium, and Germany, will revitalize Al Ahly both domestically and continentally.
Thorup’s coaching journey is marked by early triumphs: winning the Danish Cup with Esbjerg, guiding Denmark’s U21s to the European Championship semifinals, clinching the Danish league with Midtjylland, and leading Gent and Copenhagen to European competitions. Al Ahly fans now eagerly await the new era and hope Thorup can return the club to its winning ways.
