Ali Maher outlines Egypt rebuild and backs Mohamed Salah to lead the way

Ali Maher says Egypt will seek to change its approach despite having only five days to prepare for his first match as head coach, while insisting the national team has the quality to succeed under his leadership.

Maher was speaking at his unveiling on Wednesday after taking charge of the Pharaohs. He described the appointment as a significant moment in his career and said leading the national team was an ambition shared by every coach.

He also thanked President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi for his support of Egyptian football and national coaches.

Building on Hossam Hassan’s work

Maher paid tribute to the previous coaching staff, led by Hossam Hassan, and said the new regime would not be starting again from the beginning.

“We will not start from zero,” Maher said, explaining that his intention was to build on what had already been achieved while introducing different ideas and methods.

His first challenge will come after only five days of preparation. However, Maher said he trusted the players to understand and apply his instructions, adding that Egypt had the best players in Africa.

The new manager acknowledged that international football leaves coaches with far less time than club football. At a club, a manager can work with players every day, correct mistakes and gradually establish a style of play. National teams, by contrast, have short and widely spaced training camps, making the process more complicated.

Maher said his staff would keep communication with the players open so that expectations remained clear, particularly given the limited time available to develop the team collectively. He believes simple instructions and clearly delivered ideas will be essential.

‘Salah is the best thing to happen to Egyptian football’

Asked about Mohamed Salah, Maher described the Egypt captain as one of the country’s greatest football achievements.

“Salah is the best thing to have happened to Egyptian football,” he said, stressing the value of the forward’s presence within the squad.

Maher added that every member of the team wanted to make a lasting impression in an Egypt shirt and said he was confident the players could give supporters reason to celebrate.

He also cautioned against making major changes too quickly. Each stage, he said, had its own requirements, and the current squad had to be used effectively to meet the team’s immediate objectives.

Exceptional Egyptian players do not emerge regularly but only after long intervals, Maher added, meaning the talent currently available must be managed carefully. Reducing the squad’s average age would be considered later, once the present targets had been pursued and the existing group had been properly assessed. He did not set a timetable or outline a specific process for that change.

Maher’s first matches in charge will be against Malawi in the qualifiers for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations. Egypt are scheduled to face Malawi twice, on Friday, 13 November 2026, and Tuesday, 17 November 2026.