Danish coach Jess Thorup delays start with Al Ahly

Jess Thorup, Al Ahly’s new Danish manager, has postponed his first training session with the Egyptian football giants by another 24 hours, marking the third delay since his appointment.

Initially expected to lead practice on Friday, then on Sunday, Thorup’s debut has now been moved to Tuesday as he waits for his full foreign coaching staff to arrive in Cairo.

According to a club source, “Thorup will bring five assistants, including two technical coaches, a fitness coach, an analyst, and a goalkeeping coach, all arriving today.”

Thorup also wants to give national team players a day off after Egypt’s recent World Cup qualifiers and is awaiting the return of Al Ahly’s international stars from their national teams. Among those absent are Nejr Gardicar, Achraf Bencharki, Mohamed Ali Ben Romdhane, and Aliou Dieng, as well as three players from Egypt’s U23 squad, due back from Morocco this afternoon after friendlies preparing for the Arab Cup.

Thorup’s official on-field debut is set for Al Ahly’s training tomorrow at Mokhtar El-Tetsh Stadium, before Saturday’s key African Champions League match in Burundi. Despite these delays, club management remains optimistic as logistical hurdles, including travel arrangements and player fitness, are being resolved.