Egypt: Jess Thorpe emerges as leading candidate for Al Ahly managerial role

Danish coach Jess Thorpe is on the verge of taking charge of Egyptian giants Al Ahly, with sources indicating that the club has reached a full agreement with the 55-year-old to succeed former manager Jose Ribeiro, who was dismissed in August following a league defeat to Pyramids.

According to Al-Watan Sport, negotiations between Al Ahly and Thorpe have been finalised, with the Danish tactician expected to be officially unveiled in the coming hours.

The club’s hierarchy is said to have identified Thorpe as the ideal candidate to restore stability and direction to the Red Devils after a turbulent spell under Ribeiro.

From the pitch to the dugout

Born on 21 February 1970, Jess Thorpe’s football journey began on the Danish pitches before evolving into a distinguished coaching career across Europe.

As a player, he enjoyed early success with Odense BK, winning the Danish league title in 1989 and lifting the Danish Cup twice.

His playing career later took him to Germany and Austria, before he concluded his time on the field with Esbjerg and Norwegian side HamKam, where he retired in 2006.

Thorpe’s transition into management was immediate.

He returned to Esbjerg as head coach and quickly made his mark, guiding the club to promotion to the Danish Superliga and claiming the Danish Cup in the 2012–13 season.

His achievements earned him the accolade of Denmark’s Coach of the Year, establishing his reputation as one of the nation’s brightest young managers.

Success across Europe

Thorpe’s career gained further momentum when he took charge of Denmark’s Under-21 national team, leading them to the semi-finals of the 2015 UEFA European Championship.

His tactical acumen later earned him roles with some of Scandinavia’s biggest clubs, including Midtjylland — where he won the 2017–18 Danish Superliga and famously masterminded a Europa League victory over Manchester United.

Following that success, Thorpe moved to Belgium to manage KAA Gent, steering them to a domestic cup final before returning home to take charge of Copenhagen.

There, he captured another league title in the 2021–22 season and guided the club through a Champions League campaign.

In October 2023, Thorpe ventured into the Bundesliga with Augsburg, who were languishing near the relegation zone at the time of his arrival.

Under his guidance, the German side improved dramatically, finishing 11th and 12th in consecutive seasons.

His 65 league matches in charge produced 22 wins, 18 draws and 25 defeats — a record that reflected the steady progress and tactical discipline he brought to the team.

A new challenge awaits

Despite his success, Augsburg parted ways with Thorpe in May 2025 as part of a wider restructuring of their sporting project.

Now, Al Ahly — one of Africa’s most decorated clubs — is poised to hand the experienced Dane the reins.

Should his appointment be confirmed, Thorpe will inherit a squad brimming with talent and expectation, as the Red Devils aim to reclaim domestic dominance and strengthen their standing on the continental stage.