Zamalek consider Haged El Antably for team doctor role

Zamalek have opened talks with Haged El Antably over becoming the club’s new team doctor, with the Egyptian physician understood to be one of the leading candidates for the position.

Contact has taken place between the club and El Antably, according to information obtained by FilGoal.com. An agreement would see him replace Spanish doctor Gerard Oso Manzanet, who took over the role after the departure of Mohamed Osama.

El Antably has extensive experience within Egyptian football. He has worked with several age-group teams representing Egypt and has been part of squads overseen by coaches including Mahmoud Gaber, Wael Riad, Hussein Abdel Latif and Moamen Soliman.

He also worked with Brazilian Rogerio Micale during the latter’s time as coach of Egypt’s Olympic team. El Antably is currently part of the Egypt youth national team set-up led by Wael Riad.

The doctor has also previously joined the medical staff of New Zealand side Auckland City on a temporary basis. That assignment came ahead of their match against Pyramids last year in the Intercontinental Cup.

Zamalek are making a number of changes to their technical and support staff as preparations continue for the new season. Ayman Taher is close to being appointed as goalkeeper coach, replacing Portuguese coach Vitor Pereira, according to a source at the club.

The club’s players have now reported for a closed training camp at a hotel in Egypt’s New Administrative Capital. The camp began on Saturday, 1 August, as the first part of Zamalek’s preparations for the new campaign.

Before joining the camp, the players underwent medical examinations and physical measurements at a hospital in Cairo. Those assessments formed part of the preparations ahead of the start of the team’s pre-season programme.

Zamalek will begin the new season aiming to retain the Egyptian Premier League title and will also compete in the next edition of the CAF Champions League.

The club recently confirmed that Moamen Gamal would continue as head coach. There has also been a change in the sporting administration, with sporting director John Edward leaving his position after the Zamalek board accepted his resignation.

Zamalek won the Egyptian league title last season for the 15th time in their history. They also reached the final of the CAF Confederation Cup.

The potential appointment of El Antably is therefore part of a wider reorganisation before the club’s domestic title defence and return to continental competition. The medical department is expected to be finalised alongside the other technical staff changes as Zamalek continue their preparations for the opening of the new season.