Zamalek approach for sporting director role rejected by Talaat Youssef

Former Al Ittihad Alexandria head coach Talaat Youssef has revealed that Zamalek offered him the club’s sporting director position, but he turned down the opportunity.

Youssef said he declined the proposal because he believes several former Zamalek players have the experience and standing to take on the role.

“Zamalek offered me the position of sporting director at the club, but I rejected the offer because there is a group of former Zamalek stars who are capable of taking on this position,” Youssef told On Sport.

The vacancy remains open after Zamalek decided to part company with sporting director John Edward before the start of the current season. The club has not yet settled on his replacement.

Youssef said he did not have enough knowledge of Zamalek’s circumstances to believe he would be the right person to help address the club’s problems.

“I do not have any details about Zamalek’s situation and its problems that need solutions, so I would not be the right man for this position. Therefore, the matter is closed for me,” he added.

The former Al Ittihad Alexandria manager also said he would reject a similar offer from his former club if one were made.

“The same applies to Al Ittihad Alexandria for me. If the club asked me to take on the position of sporting director, I would refuse,” he said.

Zamalek’s search for a new sporting director comes as the club competes in the opening stages of the Egyptian Premier League season.

The Cairo-based side have won their first four league matches against Abu Qir Fertilizers, Suez, Petrojet and National Bank, while also drawing with Al Ittihad Alexandria.

Those results have given Zamalek 10 points, leaving them temporarily top of the league table.

Youssef’s comments mean the club will have to continue considering other candidates for the position after failing to retain Edward and receiving a refusal from the former coach.

The sporting director role remains one of the key positions still to be filled at Zamalek, with the club having entered the current campaign without confirming a successor to Edward.