Al Ahly shortlist three coaches to replace ‘under-pressure’ Jess Thorup

Egyptian powerhouse Al Ahly have reportedly drawn up a three-man shortlist to potentially replace Jess Thorup following another disappointing CAF Champions League campaign.

For the second consecutive season, the Cairo-based club have fallen short of reaching the final of the continent’s premier competition. This time, their journey ended at the quarter-final stage after elimination by Espérance de Tunis.

Reports in Egypt suggest the club hierarchy is preparing to part ways with Thorup, although the timing of any decision remains unclear.

Al Ahly have historically acted swiftly in similar situations, often dismissing coaches shortly after Champions League exits.

Former Egypt international and pundit Ahmed Shobeir has indicated that the club could turn to a local manager for the role. He named Emad El-Nahhas, Ali Maher, and Hossam El-Badry as the leading candidates.

According to Shobeir, both El-Nahhas and Maher are open to taking up the position, while El-Badry’s stance remains uncertain as he weighs up whether to continue his current coaching stint in Libya.

Meanwhile, former Egypt defender Hany Ramzy believes the club’s struggles reflect deeper structural issues. He pointed to a series of poor decisions in recent years, suggesting Al Ahly are navigating an unfamiliar period of instability.

Ramzy also criticised the club’s leadership, claiming that key decisions have increasingly been influenced by social media pressure—an approach he argues has contributed to the current challenges facing the African giants.