Aguirre is closest coach to Egyptian national team: Essam Abdel-Fatah

CAIRO – 27 July 2018: Egyptian Football Association (EFA) member Essam Abdel-Fatah pointed out that the negotiations are underway with the next coach of the Egyptian national team.

The Egyptian Football Association decided to put an end to national team manager, Cuper’s era, after the poor performance of the team at the World Cup.

“The negotiations with the four coaches who have been selected for the Egyptian national team are going well with all of them," Essam Abdel-Fatah said to HC TV channel.

“There are other coaches who appeared outside the nominations like Colombian coach Juan Carlos Osorio," Abdel-Fatah added.

“Javier Aguirre is the closest to the Egyptian national team because he has a strong self-profile as he has coached Japan, Mexico, Espanyol and Al-Wahda club of UAE,” Abdel-Fatah concluded.

Mexican manager Javier Aguirre is one of the main contenders for the job and he will arrive in Egypt next week.

Aguirre, 59, is one of the most experienced managers on club and international levels; he led his nation, Mexico, to win CONCACAF Gold Cup in 2009.

Egypt had a disastrous run at the competition, losing their three games at the group stage.

Egypt started their participation against Uruguay when they lost 1-0 thanks to a late goal from Uruguayan defender José Giménez.

Egypt also lost the second game 3-1 to the host nation, Russia, with Mohamed Salah scoring Egypt’s only goal at the game.

Egypt lost 2-1 at the Arab derby against Saudi Arabia despite leading the score by a goal from Mohamed Salah.