It is customary in football to dismiss a coach after the conclusion of a match or even if they submit their resignation in the event of a significant loss or the forfeiture of an important championship.
However, the unprecedented event of a coach being fired between halves of a match took place in the Egyptian Third Division.
Ahmed El-Sharbasy, the coach of El-Zarqa team, departed between the halves of their match against Dabab Aja in the Egyptian Third Division.
The coach left, and the result indicated a goalless draw, concluding with a 1-1 draw.
What led to the coach’s departure, and what are the behind-the-scenes details? This is what FilGoal.com explores.
FilGoal.com spoke to Samir Mousa, the president of El-Zarqa Club, who stated, “We decided to dismiss coach Ahmed El-Sharbasy from his position between the halves of the match because he did not utilize the new players and some distinguished players in the team.”
He added, “He also caused the suspension of five players in the previous match against Moniat El-Nasr.
After leading with a goal, we ended up losing 4-1. When I asked him for a report on the match and the reason for the players receiving yellow cards, he told me that he also received a warning.
That’s when I decided to remain silent.”
Mousa continued, “So, I decided to fire him because he also claimed that I interfere in his tactical decisions.
I don’t know why he said that now and not since he took over the team in the third round of the league.”
On the other side, Ahmed El-Sharbasy told FilGoal.com, “The match started with the usual lineup, and the first half ended with a goalless draw.
In the locker room, during the lecture, I decided to make the first substitution by bringing in Ahmed Redwan instead of Abdullah Hamdi.”
He continued, “I was surprised by the club president asking me to substitute his son, Abdel Rahman Samir, instead of the left-back.
My response was, ‘I’ve already made the first substitution, and I will see what happens in the rest of the match.'”
El-Sharbasy added, “But the club president insisted on his position and told me that this substitution is his responsibility.
I refused, and then I was surprised to see him go to the fourth official in front of everyone and prevent the substitution.”
He revealed, “At this point, I decided to leave the field and not complete the match because I am not satisfied with what happened.
To be fair, he has never interfered in my work before, and it was just discussions.”
He concluded his statements, “The club management has indeed made signings according to what I requested in terms of players.
Ahmed, the son of the club’s president, is the team captain and plays regularly, while the other, Abdel Rahman, does not participate much due to injuries and exams.”
