Egypt FA weighs keeping Shawky Gharib in technical role rather than appointing him Olympic team coach

The Egyptian Football Association is considering retaining Shawky Gharib as its technical director while appointing someone else as head coach of the Olympic national team.

The decision is expected to be finalised this month, ahead of the team’s planned November camp, when the full coaching staff is also due to be announced, according to FilGoal.com.

Gharib, the Egyptian Football Association’s technical director, is currently overseeing the Olympic team on a temporary basis while the federation decides on a permanent coaching structure.

He led the team’s first camp, which consisted of physical and medical assessments. No friendly matches were played during the gathering.

Although Gharib has been involved with the Olympic side during the early stages of preparation, opinion within the federation is reportedly moving towards him continuing in his role with the association rather than taking charge of the team.

The early preparations are focused on the Under-23 Africa Cup of Nations, which will qualify teams for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games. The tournament is scheduled to take place in Cairo in November 2027.

The initial work is intended to give the eventual coaching staff a clearer assessment of the players available, including their physical and psychological condition, before the formal preparation programme begins.

The Olympic national team’s first official gathering is expected to be held next November under the new coaching staff.