Mohamed Salah link questioned after Hossam Hassan leaves Egypt job

Hossam Hassan’s departure as Egypt manager has renewed speculation about Mohamed Salah’s possible influence on the decision, following a dispute over the captain’s substitution against Angola and his subsequent absence from the national team.

The Egyptian Football Association announced on Saturday that Ali Maher would replace Hassan, prompting fresh questions about whether Salah complained directly to officials or called for his former manager to be dismissed.

The controversy began during Egypt’s opening 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match, when Hassan substituted Salah in the 60th minute against Angola. Salah then left the national team camp the following day and missed the match against South Sudan, as well as a friendly against South Africa.

Hassan said Salah had been withdrawn for “technical reasons”. He also said the player’s absence against South Sudan had been agreed in advance because the match was being played on an artificial pitch, with the decision taken to protect his safety.

Those explanations did little to end speculation that relations between the manager and Egypt’s captain had become strained. The situation was further complicated by another controversy involving Hassan’s comments about Egypt and Al Ahly goalkeeper Mohamed El Shenawy, whom he described as having been “finished” at an earlier stage of his career.

Egyptian media reports also alleged that Ibrahim Hassan, the national team director and the manager’s brother, had used abusive language towards some Egypt players.

Abu Rida met Salah in Turkey

The most significant recent development was a meeting between Hany Abu Rida, president of the Egyptian Football Association, and Salah in Turkey at the beginning of this month.

The timing of the meeting attracted particular attention because it took place shortly before Egypt’s latest training camp.

The association said the discussions focused on removing any obstacles facing the national team, improving communication and understanding among all parts of the set-up, and creating suitable conditions ahead of future commitments.

Hossam Hassan was not mentioned by name in the association’s statement. However, the meeting came weeks after the dispute surrounding the manager’s relationship with Salah, leading to reports that Abu Rida was seeking to repair relations between the Trabzonspor player and the coaching staff.

Those reports referred to alleged frustration over Salah’s substitution against Angola and some of Hassan’s comments.

Hassan had signed a contract extension through to 2030 in September after guiding Egypt to the last 16 of the 2026 World Cup. However, the recent controversies, including the disagreement involving Salah, meant he had little opportunity to enjoy the new deal before leaving his position.