Mohamed Youssef stays focused as Al Ahly denies rift with contracting chief

Mohamed Youssef, Al Ahly’s sporting director, continues to concentrate on his work despite growing rumours suggesting tension with contracting director Osama Helal.

Inside the club, the mood is far calmer than the reports spreading outside.

A source within Al Ahly dismissed talk of friction, stressing that stories of Youssef forcing his choices on team selection were baseless.

“The rumours that Youssef is imposing his opinion to exclude players signed by Osama Hilal from the starting line-up are completely untrue,” the source told Kooora.

He explained that Al Ahly’s structure does not allow such interference. “Things don’t work that way at Al-Ahly, and Emad El-Nahhas is a stubborn coach with a strong personality.”

The source clarified Helal’s role, saying, “The contracting manager’s role ends when the deal is completed, based on a technical vision, and he is not the one who decides whether a player participates or not.”

He pointed to examples, noting Ben Ramadan’s continued presence despite struggles, and reminded that other squad decisions, like the preference for Sherif or Ibrahim, remain in the coach’s hands.