Walid Salah makes tough calls as Ahly ushers in new era

In a recent televised interview, Walid Salah, Ahly’s Director of Football, shed light on key changes within the club as Danish coach Jess Thorup joins for a two-and-a-half-year term.

Salah revealed that interim manager Emad Nahhas declined the role of Deputy Director for youth development, opting instead to pursue new opportunities outside the club. With Sourup arriving in Egypt to meet club president Mahmoud El-Khatib and officially taking over, assistant coach Adel Mostafa will remain in the technical staff.

Salah highlighted the club’s philosophy of empowering its people, calling Ahly “a complete success system.” He recounted the surprise of his own appointment as Director of Football and explained that the club’s defining feature is the freedom to make decisions.

Salah shared that his hardest choice was to bench Mohamed Magdy Afsha and Ahmed Mostafa Zizo for the big derby, despite their recent return to training, prioritizing their health and team success, “The decision was right; we won and kept them safe.”

Addressing rumors around the squad, Salah stated he won’t expose names and reaffirmed Ahly’s strict media policy. He clarified that recent controversy involving Afsha was not a dispute with Nahhas but a misunderstanding.

Looking forward, Salah announced digital upgrades for the locker room, transparent contract negotiations, and that Jess Thorup will steer winter transfer deals. He also confirmed rejecting a major offer for key player Hussein El-Shahat, demonstrating Ahly’s commitment to its core squad