Al Ahly announce departure of football director Walid Salah El Din

Al Ahly, led by club president Mahmoud El Khatib, have officially announced the departure of Walid Salah El Din from his position as Director of Football at the Cairo giants.

In a statement released through the club’s official platforms, Al Ahly confirmed that the decision marks the end of Salah El Din’s recent spell in the role, while also expressing gratitude for his contribution during his time in charge of football operations.

The club praised the efforts made by the former Egypt international, highlighting his commitment and professionalism in carrying out his responsibilities in the best interest of Al Ahly throughout his tenure.

Al Ahly also extended their best wishes to Salah El Din for the future, acknowledging his service to the club and his role in supporting the sporting structure during a demanding period.

The departure comes as part of a wider phase of changes at the club following a challenging season by Al Ahly’s high standards, both domestically and in continental competition.

Earlier, the club also confirmed the mutual termination of Danish head coach Jess Thorup’s contract at the end of the season. Thorup’s tenure saw him oversee 36 matches, recording 18 wins, nine draws, and nine defeats.

During his spell in charge, Al Ahly secured the Egyptian Super Cup title after defeating Zamalek, but the season also included disappointments, with early exits in both the Egyptian Cup at the round of 32 and the CAF Champions League at the quarter-final stage.

In the Egyptian Premier League, Al Ahly finished third in the table with 53 points, narrowly behind Pyramids on 54 points and champions Zamalek on 56, marking a rare campaign in which the Red Devils failed to secure top spot.

The latest changes are expected to form part of a broader restructuring process aimed at restoring the club’s dominance ahead of the new season, with further decisions anticipated in the coming weeks as Al Ahly review all sporting departments.

For now, the departure of Walid Salah El Din signals another significant shift at the club as it looks to rebuild and return to its usual standards of success both domestically and in African competition.