Juan Carlos Garrido watches Ghazl El Mahalla match as club considers replacement for Ahmed Khattab

A source at Ghazl El Mahalla has explained why former Al Ahly manager Juan Carlos Garrido was present in the stands at Cairo International Stadium for the Egyptian Premier League match between National Bank of Egypt and Ghazl El Mahalla.

Ghazl El Mahalla were trailing 2-1 at half-time in the fourth-round fixture, as the club continues to search for a way out of a difficult start to the season.

A source at Ghazl El Mahalla told FilGoal.com: “One agent has proposed Juan Carlos Garrido to coach the team, replacing Ahmed Khattab, because of the poor results.”

The 57-year-old Spaniard attended the game to assess the team and is also expected to watch Ghazl El Mahalla’s next match against Zamalek.

The source added: “The Spanish coach was in the stands to watch the match against National Bank of Egypt, and he will also attend the upcoming game against Zamalek.”

Ghazl El Mahalla’s management would prefer to appoint a new head coach after the Zamalek match. That would give the incoming manager time to work with the squad during the next international break.

“The club’s management prefers to appoint the new head coach after the Zamalek match, so he has enough time to prepare the team during the international break,” the source said.

Garrido has not yet decided whether to take the job. His decision will come after he has completed his assessment of the team, while Ghazl El Mahalla are also considering several other candidates.

“Garrido will make his decision after watching the team, and there are several other candidates, including Abdel Hamid Bassiouny, Haitham Shaaban and a Moroccan coach,” the source added.

Ghazl El Mahalla began the fourth round at the bottom of the table without a point after three matches.

If appointed, Garrido would take charge of an Egyptian club for the third time. His previous spells in the country came with Al Ahly and Ismaily.

Garrido has built an extensive coaching career across Arab football. He has also managed Al-Ettifaq in Saudi Arabia, Raja Casablanca and Wydad Casablanca in Morocco, Al Ain in the United Arab Emirates, USM Alger in Algeria, Al-Ittihad in Libya and MC Oran in Algeria.

His most recent Egyptian experience came at Ismaily in 2022. Garrido managed the club in five league matches, drawing twice and losing three times.

He coached Al Ahly between 2014 and 2015, winning the CAF Confederation Cup and the Egyptian Super Cup during his time at the club.

Garrido took charge of Al Ahly in 33 matches in all competitions, recording 18 victories, seven draws and eight defeats.

Under his leadership, Al Ahly won the CAF Confederation Cup for the first time in the club’s history.