Zamalek Fire Entire Coaching Staff After Latest Defeat

Football - Lusail Super Cup - Al Hilal v Zamalek - Lusail Stadium, Lusail, Qatar - September 9, 2022 Zamalek coach Jesualdo Ferreira with Ahmed Sayed Zizo. (Reuters)
Football - Lusail Super Cup - Al Hilal v Zamalek - Lusail Stadium, Lusail, Qatar - September 9, 2022 Zamalek coach Jesualdo Ferreira with Ahmed Sayed Zizo. (Reuters)
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Zamalek Fire Entire Coaching Staff After Latest Defeat

Football - Lusail Super Cup - Al Hilal v Zamalek - Lusail Stadium, Lusail, Qatar - September 9, 2022 Zamalek coach Jesualdo Ferreira with Ahmed Sayed Zizo. (Reuters)
Football - Lusail Super Cup - Al Hilal v Zamalek - Lusail Stadium, Lusail, Qatar - September 9, 2022 Zamalek coach Jesualdo Ferreira with Ahmed Sayed Zizo. (Reuters)

Egyptian football champions Zamalek are under pressure to appoint a new coach - and fast - after firing all of their interim coaching staff in the aftermath of their latest defeat.

Zamalek, who two weeks ago sacked Portuguese coach Jesualdo Ferreira for the second time in two months, lost 3-2 against Al-Masry on Tuesday, despite having led by two goals after 21 minutes.

The club remains in fifth place in the league, 11 points behind rivals Al-Ahly, who also have three games in hand.

Zamalek has taken an axe to the side which won the title last year by six points, and has benched four players for the rest of the season in addition to ripping up the coaching leadership team.

"Club President Mortada Mansour and board members decided to kick all coaching staff out of the club. They... will not be allowed to enter again," Zamalek member board Gamal Abdel-Hamid told his club TV channel.

The club did not name the four players who it said would not feature for the rest of the season.

German Heiko Herrlich is favorite to take over the coaching role and could be unveiled as early as later on Wednesday.



Sport Minister: Saudi Arabia Attracts 2.5 Million Tourists to 80 Global Sporting Events

Saudi Minister of Sport Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki bin Faisal speaks at the event. (SPA)
Saudi Minister of Sport Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki bin Faisal speaks at the event. (SPA)
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Sport Minister: Saudi Arabia Attracts 2.5 Million Tourists to 80 Global Sporting Events

Saudi Minister of Sport Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki bin Faisal speaks at the event. (SPA)
Saudi Minister of Sport Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki bin Faisal speaks at the event. (SPA)

Saudi Minister of Sport Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki bin Faisal praised on Wednesday the Saudi leadership's support for the sports sector, which has driven its growth and elevated its global recognition.

Speaking at the 2025 Budget Forum, the minister highlighted the sector's significant role in boosting tourism, noting that over the past four years, 80 international events have attracted 2.5 million tourists.

For instance, Formula 1 in Jeddah welcomed attendees from 160 countries, created 20,000 jobs, and generated a SAR 900 million economic impact on the city.

The minister underscored the private sector's vital role in the sports industry, saying 14 clubs have been offered for privatization, attracting interest from 25 companies, with notable attention from international investors.

He also highlighted the success of the Nafis platform, which has licensed 2,000 academies and 500 clubs, enabling some to transition into operating as companies.

Moreover, Prince Abdulaziz emphasized the global reach of Saudi sporting events, including the Saudi League, which is broadcast in over 160 countries. The international visibility has resulted in substantial investment and strengthened the global presence of Saudi sports.