Portuguese coach Jose to leave Egypt’s al-Ahly

Category: World Sports Created on Sunday, 20 May 2012 08:36 Published Date Written by GNA Hits: 452

Cairo, May 18,  (dpa/GNA)- Portuguese coach Manuel Jose has refused to renew his contract with Egypt’s football club al-Ahly, a club official said Friday.

“Money was not the only thing behind Jose’s wish to end his stay with al-Ahly,” added the official who spoke on condition of anonymity to dpa.

“The suspension of (local) football activities and the circumstances recently experienced by al-Ahly played a major role in Jose’s decision to leave. He does not feel comfortable about the current situation,” added the official.

Egyptian authorities suspended the country’s Premier League in February after 74 people were killed in a pitch rioting that followed a match in the coastal city of Port Said between al-Ahly and the home side al-Masry.

Following the incident, Egypt’s worst football tragedy, Jose said he was considering leaving the country.

Jose had taken the helm of al-Ahly for five years starting in 2004 guiding the team to harvest several local and regional titles.

He returned to coach the leading Egyptian team in 2011 on a 18-month contract during which al-Ahly won Egypt’s Premier League.

Al-Ahly's fans have nicknamed Jose as the “king” and the “glory maker.”