Petrojet coach resigns Ahmed Abdel Maksoud following Zamalek defeat

Ahmed Abdel Maksoud has resigned as head coach of Petrojet Assiut following the club’s 1-0 defeat to Zamalek in the Egyptian Premier League.

The defeat came in the seventh round of the competition, leaving Petrojet Assiut 16th in the standings with five points.

Abdel Maksoud announced his decision in a statement on his official Facebook account, explaining that he had carefully considered the circumstances before deciding to step down.

“After seeking guidance and relying on God Almighty, and after thinking and studying all the surrounding circumstances, I decided to apologise for not completing my mission as head of the technical management of the Petro Asyut team, hoping that God will guide me to what is good,” he wrote.

The Egyptian tactician expressed pride in his time at the club, particularly their achievement in securing promotion to the top flight despite the challenges they faced.

“I sincerely apologise for not completing my mission as head of the technical management of the Petro Asyut team, after a journey that I am very proud of, which began with a great challenge and a mission that seemed almost impossible, and we succeeded thanks to God and then to the quiet cooperation of everyone in achieving promotion to the Premier League,” he added.

Abdel Maksoud acknowledged the difficulties of competing in the Premier League, pointing to the financial strength and resources of rival clubs.

He insisted that his team had worked hard with the resources available and maintained that Petrojet Assiut were not among the bottom four teams in terms of performance, despite their position in the standings.

The coach also thanked the club’s board, led by president Ehab Fayez, for their support, while expressing appreciation to the fans for their loyalty throughout his tenure.

However, he hinted at internal challenges, revealing that certain issues and actions by some individuals had threatened to distract the team from its objectives.

Despite those difficulties, Abdel Maksoud said he had remained focused on the club’s interests and the team’s progress.

During his spell in charge, Petrojet Assiut played eight matches, recording one victory, two draws and four defeats, according to the available report.

His resignation comes as the club struggles to find consistency in the Egyptian Premier League following its promotion to the top division.