Al Ahly interim coach turns down offer to work with incoming head coach Jose Riveiro

Al Ahly’s interim head coach, Emad El Nahhas, has reportedly declined an offer to remain at the club under newly appointed manager Jose Riveiro.

El Nahhas, a club legend, took the reins of the Cairo giants in April following the dismissal of Swiss tactician Marcel Koller, who had previously guided Al Ahly to CAF Champions League glory.

Since stepping in, El Nahhas has overseen a strong finish to the 2024/25 campaign and is on the verge of clinching the Egyptian Premier League title.

According to a report from Saudionportal.com, Al Ahly’s management was keen to retain El Nahhas as part of Riveiro’s technical team, hoping to benefit from his deep-rooted knowledge of the club and domestic football landscape.

However, the former defender is believed to have rejected the offer, following indications that Riveiro — the ex-Orlando Pirates coach — was not in favor of including El Nahhas in his backroom staff, despite the club’s board reportedly recommending the arrangement.

El Nahhas is set to lead Al Ahly in their final league fixture against Pharco FC on Wednesday, May 28, at the Cairo International Stadium.

Speculation is mounting that he is now weighing up offers from other Egyptian Premier League clubs, with several sides reportedly interested in acquiring his services as head coach.

As Al Ahly prepares to usher in a new era under Riveiro, the decision signals both a strategic shift in the club’s coaching setup and El Nahhas’ desire to continue his managerial career independently.

Riveiro is expected to be officially unveiled later this week and will guide Al Ahly at the upcoming FIFA Club World Cup in the United States, where the Egyptian champions have been drawn in Group A alongside FC Porto, Inter Miami, and Sociedade Esportiva Palmeiras.