Hafid Derradji says Hossam Hassan ‘brought about his own dismissal’

Hossam Hassan’s confrontation with Mohamed Salah may have contributed to his removal as Egypt manager, according to Algerian commentator Hafid Derradji.

Derradji said Hassan’s departure was the result of mounting technical, media and personal problems, alongside his dispute with Egypt’s most important player.

Writing on his official X account, Derradji said: “Hossam Hassan is the one who brought about Hossam Hassan’s downfall.”

He argued that the manager had paid the price for the accumulation of those difficulties, as well as his clash with Salah, Egypt’s captain and star player. Derradji added that the disagreement did not need to develop into an open confrontation.

The Algerian commentator said the dispute between Hassan and Salah had been allowed to escalate unnecessarily. Their differing positions and public statements had created tension within the national team and made the disagreement a major topic of debate among supporters and followers of Egyptian football.

Derradji’s comments came after the Egyptian Football Association announced on Saturday that Hassan and his technical and administrative staff had been relieved of their duties.

The decision followed a series of meetings held by the association’s board. The governing body said it had reviewed the circumstances and recent events surrounding the team, as well as the negative effect they had had on the positive image of the national side.

Hassan’s relationship with Salah had become increasingly strained in recent weeks, with the dispute attracting significant attention while Hassan remained in charge of Egypt.

The Egyptian Football Association has appointed Ali Maher, the current manager of Ceramica Cleopatra, to lead the national team during the next phase.

Maher has also been asked to submit his plan for forming the team’s coaching staff.