I have big dreams for Egypt: Aguirre

CAIRO – 2 August 2018: Mexican manager Javier Aguirre was declared on Thursday as the Egyptian national team’s new manager for the next four years at a press conference at the Egyptian Football Association headquarters in Cairo.

Aguirre was one of the main contenders for the position alongside Bosnian coach Vahid Halilhodžić, Colombian Jorge Luis Pinto, and the Spanish Quique Sánchez Flores.

“I have big dreams for the national team. I will do everything to make Egypt the best team in Africa,” Aguirre told press on Thursday.

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.

The Mexican manager will succeed Argentinean Hector Cuper in the position after the latter’s failure to impress at the 2018 World Cup in Russia, where the national team lost their three group stage games to Uruguay, Russia and Saudi Arabia.

Aguiree added: “I have so much respect for Cuper, but I have a different way; I prefer attacking football. I will work with this group of players to make Egyptian fans happy and proud.”

Aguirre’s first official game will be on Sept. 3 against Swaziland at home during the 2019 African Cup of Nations qualifiers.