Zamalek deny contact with Modern Sport coach Mohammed Amin Benhacham

Zamalek have denied reports that they are considering appointing Modern Sport manager Mohammed Amin Benhacham, insisting that Mo’tamed Gamal remains in charge and has the full backing of the club’s board.

Hussein El-Sayed, a Zamalek board member and supervisor of the football team, said the club had not contacted the Moroccan coach and had not discussed him as a possible replacement.

“We have not contacted the Moroccan coach, and his name has not been put forward to take charge of Zamalek,” El-Sayed said in comments published by the club’s media centre.

He added: “Mo’tamed Gamal is continuing in his position normally, with the full support and confidence of the board of directors in the team’s current technical staff.”

The comments followed a report by Al-Mountakhab newspaper claiming that Zamalek had included Benhacham among its leading options as they considered appointing a coach to oversee a new technical project.

El-Sayed said he was surprised the reports had emerged only hours before Zamalek’s league match against Petrol Asyut.

“I am surprised that these reports have spread just a few hours before the match against Petrol Asyut in the league,” he said.

Zamalek are due to travel to face Petrol Asyut at Borg El Arab Stadium at 17:00 local time on Tuesday in the seventh round of the league.

El-Sayed also urged journalists to verify information directly with the club before publishing reports.

“I ask the media to return to Zamalak officials to confirm the accuracy of information,” he said.

Zamalek are third in the league table with 13 points, while Modern Sport are fourth, also on 13 points.

Benhacham managed Moroccan club Wydad last season during their participation in the FIFA Club World Cup. He left the club in March after Wydad were eliminated from the Confederation Cup by Olympique Safi.

The Moroccan coach has also managed Fath Rabat, Renaissance Zemamra, Olympique Khouribga, Ittihad Tangier and Olympique Safi.

Modern Sport is Benhacham’s first coaching role outside the Moroccan league. Since taking charge, he has led the club to four victories, one draw and one defeat.