Al Ahly Shake-Up: President El Khatib steps aside after CAF Champions League exit

A major shift appears to be underway at Al Ahly SC, as the club moves to address a string of disappointing results with a bold restructuring plan led by president Mahmoud El Khatib.

In a move described as historic, El Khatib has reportedly decided to withdraw completely from overseeing football operations, handing full authority in the sector to Yassin Mansour and Sayed Abdel Hafeez.

Under this arrangement, the club president will no longer play a direct administrative role in football matters, instead operating like any other board member in that domain.

The reported decision followed an extended meeting involving the three figures, during which they reviewed the succession of crises affecting the team. According to Egyptian outlet FilGoal, the outcome was a comprehensive rescue plan designed to reset the club’s sporting structure.

The first phase of the plan focuses on immediate and sweeping administrative changes. It includes the dismissal of sporting director Mohamed Youssef and the dissolution of several key departments, including the planning committee, contracts division, talent identification unit, and the entire youth sector. The only exception is Art Langeler, who is set to remain in his role as technical director due to his perceived success.

Further changes are expected at the end of the current season, with both the technical and administrative staff of the first team set to depart. The club has also reportedly decided against activating the purchase clause for Iltsin Kamwis.

Attention will also turn to the playing squad, where no individual is considered untouchable. All players are expected to undergo detailed technical and disciplinary assessments, with reports suggesting that several high-profile departures could be on the horizon.

As part of the transitional structure, Sayed Abdel Hafeez is expected to take on the role of sporting director on a temporary basis until the restructuring is complete. Meanwhile, responsibility for managing player contracts is likely to be assigned to either Essam Siraj or Nader Shawky.

These drastic measures come in response to a difficult run of results. Al Ahly’s campaign has been marked by elimination from the CAF Champions League at the hands of Espérance de Tunis, a shock exit from the Egyptian Cup, and failure to progress in the Egyptian Capital Cup, despite securing the Egyptian Super Cup with a win over Zamalek SC.

Domestically, the club currently sits third in the league standings, trailing Zamalek by three points at the end of the first phase. Attention now turns to the next stage of the season, beginning with a fixture against Ceramica Cleopatra FC on April 3, as Al Ahly attempt to rebuild momentum under a dramatically altered structure.