Al-Masry explain Emad Al-Nahhas departure after 28-year wait ends

Al-Masry Al-Portsaidi vice-president Al-Husseini Abu Qamar has explained the circumstances surrounding the departure of former technical director Emad Al-Nahhas and the appointment of Ahmed Sami.

Abu Qamar praised Al-Nahhas for his contribution to the club, particularly his role in ending a 28-year wait for a trophy, insisting the decision to part ways was not part of a plan by the board.

Speaking to MBC Egypt 2, Abu Qamar said Al-Nahhas remained highly respected by the club’s leadership despite the decision to terminate his contract.

“Emad Al-Nahhas is a great football star. We cannot deny his efforts. He came at an important time and is appreciated by the entire board of directors.”

He added: “The idea of change was not the approach of the board of directors and its chairman, Kamel Abu Ali. Emad Al-Nahhas brought a championship to Al-Masry after 28 years, and he has all the appreciation from the administration.”

Abu Qamar said the two parties reached an agreement over the termination of Al-Nahhas’ contract without any major disagreement.

He did, however, reveal that he had reservations about some issues involving the former coach, although he chose not to discuss them publicly.

“I have some grievances with him regarding certain points that I did not want to discuss through the media,” he said.

“I simply wanted to emphasise that the matter was not a conspiracy against Emad Al-Nahhas or a deliberate move to force his departure.”

One of the issues discussed was Al-Nahhas’ son potentially joining Al-Masry’s youth team.

Abu Qamar said the club decided against the move to avoid putting the former coach in a difficult position.

“We did not want Emad Al-Nahhas’ son to join the youth team in order to protect Emad himself from the trap of favouritism and to ensure his continuity with the team,” he said.

Disagreement over Gradishar

Abu Qamar also addressed reports surrounding the club’s decision not to sign Al Ahly striker Gradishar on loan.

He described the player as “great and important” and claimed the financial terms would have been manageable for Al-Masry, while Al Ahly would have covered the larger part of the player’s contract.

However, Al-Nahhas has offered a different explanation for his position on the deal.

The former coach said he had advised club president Kamel Abu Ali to pursue an African striker from Morocco instead, arguing that he had a strong technical opinion of Gradishar from his previous experience coaching him.

Al-Nahhas also questioned suggestions that his departure was connected to the striker’s eventual move to Ceramica.

“What does this have to do with my departure from Al-Masry?” he said.

He added that he wished Gradishar well and hoped the player would become the league’s top scorer.

Al-Nahhas also revealed that Al Ahly had offered Al-Masry a package involving Gradishar and Reda Selim, with Selim reportedly telling him he would join Al-Masry if he moved to Egypt.