Mido launches fierce attack on Egypt coach Hossam Hassan over Mohamed El Shenawy comments

Former Zamalek player and coach Ahmed Hossam “Mido” has launched a strong criticism of Egypt tactician Hossam Hassan following his comments about Mohamed El Shenawy’s omission from the Pharaohs’ latest squad.

Hassan explained ahead of Egypt’s 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Angola that El Shenawy was left out for technical reasons rather than injury. He also referred to previous occasions when he had selected the Al Ahly goalkeeper despite concerns over his form.

Mido reacted strongly to the comments in a post on his official X account, describing Hassan’s remarks as reflecting what he called a narcissistic attitude.

“Captain Hossam Hassan’s statements feel very narcissistic,” Mido wrote.

He went on to accuse the national team coach of presenting himself as superior to club coaches, citing Hassan’s previous decisions involving several prominent Egyptian players.

“He has a feeling that he is better than all the club coaches,” Mido wrote. “He is the one who redeployed Mohamed Salah in the heart of the field, which Slot failed to do. He revived El Shenawy after he was finished.”

Mido also criticised Hassan for comments concerning Al Ahly’s medical staff, particularly regarding the fitness of midfielder Imam Ashour.

“He even went so far as to belittle Al Ahly’s medical staff, saying that they were unable to prepare Imam Ashour, and he was saved by joining the national team,” he added.

The former Egypt international also took issue with what he described as Hassan’s underestimation of players from the Egyptian Premier League.

“Finally, the underestimation of the value of Egyptian league players, when in fact they are the main pillar and main reason for the victories of the Egyptian national team throughout its history,” Mido stated.

Mido warned that the situation could create unnecessary division around the national team at a crucial stage of the AFCON 2027 qualifying campaign.

“We have entered a dangerous phase, which is that the national team coach is creating a great deal of discord and confusion around the team, and putting the officials in an embarrassing and unenviable position before an important match for our national team,” he wrote.

Mido added that his criticism was focused on Hassan’s handling of the national team rather than his personal affairs, while arguing that the coach’s approach could affect the team’s development.

“We are not talking here about the coach’s personal life and the problems he is going through, which in my opinion have made him a distracted and stressed coach, who explodes at any simple question from journalists,” he said.

“We are talking here about the loss of any opportunity for our national team to develop under the leadership of Captain Hossam Hassan. Officials must intervene and take a stand on this. We can’t pretend we don’t notice.”

Mido concluded by arguing that the controversy surrounding Hassan’s statements could damage the relationship between the national team and its supporters.

“The damage caused by the coach’s personality is far greater than the benefit he brings to our national team,” he wrote.

“Al Ahly fans are angry, and Zamalek fans are sad. Instead of taking advantage of the fact that the fans have finally started to rally around the national team again, we are deliberately pushing them away from our team because of the unbalanced statements of the technical director for the millionth time.”

The remarks add another layer to the debate surrounding El Shenawy’s omission, which has already prompted a public response from Egyptian Football Association president Hani Abu Rida, who praised the goalkeeper’s contribution and achievements with both Egypt and Al Ahly.