Zamalek search for first-team doctor continues after Egypt youth team medic declines offer

Zamalek’s search for a new first-team doctor will continue after Haged Elantably, the Egypt youth national team physician, apologised for being unable to accept the club’s offer.

A source at Zamalek told FilGoal.com that Elantably had withdrawn from consideration after being informed that the medical committee of the Egyptian Football Association, headed by Mohamed Abou El Ela, was determined to keep the national teams’ existing medical staff in place.

“Haged Elantably, the Egypt youth national team doctor, apologised for not accepting Zamalek’s offer,” the source said.

The source added: “We informed Elantably that the medical committee within the Football Association, headed by Mohamed Abou El Ela, was insisting on keeping the medical staff unchanged.”

FilGoal.com had previously reported that Elantably was among the leading candidates to become Zamalek’s first-team doctor. His decision leaves the Cairo club needing to identify another candidate as part of a wider reshaping of its football department ahead of the new season.

Zamalek are looking for a replacement after the departure of Spanish doctor Gerard Osso Manzanet. He had taken charge of the team’s medical responsibilities following the departure of Mohamed Osama.

Elantably has worked with several age-group Egypt national teams and has been part of squads managed by Mahmoud Gaber, Wael Reyad, Hussein Abdel Latif and Moamen Soliman. He also worked with Brazilian coach Rogerio Micale during Micale’s time in charge of the Egypt Olympic team.

Elantably currently serves with the Egypt youth national team, which is managed by Wael Reyad.

He has also had experience at club level, joining New Zealand side Auckland City’s medical staff on a temporary basis before their match against Pyramids last year in the Intercontinental Cup.

The search for a new doctor comes as Zamalek make several changes to their technical and administrative staff before the start of the new campaign.

The club’s players have reported for a closed training camp at a hotel in the New Administrative Capital. The camp represents the first stage of preparations for the beginning of the new season and started on Saturday.

Zamalek recently confirmed that Moataz Gamal would remain as the team’s head coach. However, sporting director John Edward has left the club after the Zamalek board accepted his resignation.

The Egyptian club ended last season as champions of the Egyptian Premier League, winning the title for a 15th time in their history. They also reached the final of the CAF Confederation Cup.

The decision by Elantably means the club’s medical department remains one of the positions still to be settled during Zamalek’s preparations. The club has yet to announce who will replace Gerard Osso Manzanet as first-team doctor.