Momen Soliman set to leave Al Karma amid Ceramica Cleopatra interest

Momen Soliman has told Iraqi club Al Karma he will not continue as their manager, with Ceramica Cleopatra interested in appointing him as Ali Maher’s successor.

Soliman is understood to be considering a return to Egyptian football after being identified as a leading candidate for the Ceramica Cleopatra job. Maher left the club to take charge of the Egypt national team.

The Iraqi sports channel Al Rabiaa reported: “Momen Soliman informed the club that he would not continue with Al Karma and that he would return to Egypt.”

It added that Soliman had made the decision after being suspended for two matches by the disciplinary committee. The punishment followed his dismissal during Al Karma’s match against Al-Quwa Al-Jawiya, for which the original red-card offence was expected to result in a one-match suspension.

FilGoal.com previously reported that Ceramica Cleopatra had made Soliman’s appointment conditional on receiving permission from Al Karma, where he remains under contract.

The Egyptian club is expected to announce its new manager in the coming hours. Mohamed El Sheikh, the former Wadi Degla coach, is also among the candidates to replace Maher.

Soliman has guided Al Karma to the top of the Iraqi Premier League table since taking charge. He has also won three Iraqi league titles during spells with Al-Shorta and Al-Quwa Al-Jawiya.

The 51-year-old previously managed Egyptian sides Smouha and Misr Lel-Makkasa. He also led Zamalek to the Egypt Cup.

Soliman came close to winning the 2016 CAF Champions League with Zamalek, but his side lost the final to Mamelodi Sundowns 3-1 on aggregate.