Ahmed Fathy to miss Al Masry’s first training session under Ahmed Samy

Ahmed Fathy will miss Al Masry’s first training session under new head coach Ahmed Samy because he is currently in Saudi Arabia performing Umrah.

Al Masry announced the departure of Emad El Nahhas after the opening rounds of the Egyptian Premier League, with Ahmed Samy set to take charge of the team in his place.

Samy is expected to begin his work with the squad on Wednesday evening, when the newly formed coaching staff leads its first training session. However, Fathy will not be present because of his religious pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia.

The former Egypt international is expected to return to Cairo within hours and join Samy’s technical staff once he is back in the country. His absence is therefore limited to the opening session of the new coaching regime.

Fathy is due to work alongside Samy, Salah Amin and Hossam Abdel Aal as part of the coaching set-up at Al Masry. The club’s decision to make a change in the dugout comes after the team’s first three league matches of the campaign.

Al Masry began the Egyptian Premier League with victories over Arab Contractors and Smouha. Their winning start ended in the third round, when they were beaten 1-0 by Pyramids.

The club are now preparing for their fourth-round fixture against Montakhab El Suez and Petrojet, according to the report. That match will be the next test for the team as Samy begins his tenure and the new staff starts work with the players.

Samy’s appointment follows the club’s announcement that El Nahhas would leave his position after the early league rounds. The first training session under the new manager is scheduled for Wednesday evening, although Fathy’s religious commitments mean he will join the group after returning from Saudi Arabia.

The 40-year-old Fathy has previously represented Al Ahly and the Egypt national team and is now set to begin a coaching role with Al Masry. His return to Cairo is expected shortly, allowing him to take up his place alongside the other members of Samy’s staff.

Al Masry’s record after three matches stands at two wins and one defeat. They will be aiming to respond to the loss against Pyramids while adapting to the change in management and awaiting the arrival of Fathy at the club’s next training sessions.