Soccer-Egypt's Al-Ahly part ways with coach Koller
Soccer Football - Intercontinental Cup - Challenger Cup - Pachuca v Al Ahly - Stadium 974, Doha, Qatar - December 14, 2024 Al Ahly coach Marcel Koller during the match REUTERS/Ibraheem Al Omari/File Photo
Cairo (Reuters) - Egypt's Al Ahly on Saturday announced they parted ways with coach Marcel Koller after being knocked out of the Champions League semifinal.
The 64-year-old came under fire as the defending champions were stunned by South Africa's Mamelodi Sundowns on the away goal rule as they played to a 1-1 second leg draw in Cairo on Friday, following a scoreless stalemate in Pretoria.
Bottles of water were thrown from the stands at the Swiss as he left the pitch after the final whistle.
"Due to the emergency circumstances and in light of the distinguished relationship that has been reflected in numerous previous positions, the club is currently negotiating with the coach to terminate the contract by mutual consent in a manner befitting the club and its coach," the club said in a statement.
Since taking the helm in 2022, the former FC Basel and FC Koln coach steered Al-Ahly to several trophies, including two Champions League titles.
(Reporting by Taha Mohamed; Editing by Daniel Wallis)
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Star
an hour ago
- The Star
Cricket-England name squad for India Test series opener at Headingley
FILE PHOTO: Cricket - International Test Match Series - England v Zimbabwe - Trent Bridge, Nottingham, Britain - May 24, 2025 England's Ben Stokes in action. Action Images via Reuters/Peter Cziborra/File Photo (Reuters) -England have named a 14-player squad for the first match of the Rothesay Test Series against India, which is set to begin on June 20 at Headingley in Leeds. Ben Stokes will lead the squad as captain and Surrey bowling all-rounder Jamie Overton returns to the Test line-up for the first time since earning his sole cap against New Zealand at Headingley in June 2022. The 31-year-old is still under close medical review after breaking his right little finger during the first One-Day International against the West Indies at Edgbaston last week. Durham seamer Brydon Carse, as well as Warwickshire's Jacob Bethell and Chris Woakes, were recalled after featuring in England's Test tour of New Zealand in December. Surrey's Gus Atkinson was ruled out of selection due to a hamstring injury sustained during the one-off Test against Zimbabwe at Trent Bridge last month. England will play five Test matches against India over the next couple of months, finishing on August 4 at the Kia Oval in London. SQUAD Ben Stokes, Shoaib Bashir, Jacob Bethell, Harry Brook, Brydon Carse, Sam Cook, Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Jamie Overton, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Jamie Smith, Josh Tongue and Chris Woakes. (Reporting by Angelica Medina in Mexico City; Editing by Andrew Cawthorne)
New Straits Times
an hour ago
- New Straits Times
'Italian genius' Inzaghi to coach Saudi Arabia's Al Hilal
RIYADH: Former Inter boss Simone Inzaghi was revealed as the new coach of Saudi Arabia's Al Hilal today, days before they take part in the new-look Club World Cup. The Italian, who led Inter to a heavy defeat in Saturday's Champions League final, had earlier played down rumours of a two-year deal worth 50 million euros. "I am Simone Inzaghi and today begins my story with Al Hilal," he said in a slickly produced video posted on X, in which he sips Arabian coffee and pins an Al Hilal lapel badge on his suit. Inzaghi, 49, becomes just the latest high-profile footballing acquisition for oil-rich Saudi Arabia, which will host the World Cup in 2034. "The Italian genius is here," Al Hilal posted. "Welcome, Simone Inzaghi." Inzaghi joins the likes of Ruben Neves and Aleksandar Mitrovic at Al Hilal, which let injury-hit Neymar go in January after just seven appearances since his arrival in August 2023. A source with knowledge of the negotiations last week told AFP that the "first option" for Cristiano Ronaldo, who has signalled he is leaving rival club Al Nassr, could be a move to Al Hilal. Manchester United's Bruno Fernandes this week said he rejected Al Hilal's reported US$135 million (RM571 million) offer because he wanted to "continue to play at the highest level." Inzaghi's Inter slumped 5-0 to Qatar-funded Paris Saint-Germain in Saturday's Champions League final. His departure was confirmed on Tuesday. The former forward guided Inter to one Serie A title and two Italian Cups since joining in 2021. He took them to two Champions League finals in three seasons but lost both. On track to repeat the treble heroics of 2010 just a few weeks ago, Inter ended the season trophyless after falling away in each competition.
The Star
2 hours ago
- The Star
Soccer-Rangers appoint ex-Southampton boss Martin as head coach
FILE PHOTO: Soccer Football - Premier League - Southampton v Tottenham Hotspur - St Mary's Stadium, Southampton, Britain - December 15, 2024 Southampton manager Russell Martin reacts. Action Images via Reuters/Andrew Boyers (Reuters) -Rangers have appointed former Southampton manager Russell Martin as head coach on a three-year deal, the Scottish Premiership side said on Thursday. Martin, who played 29 times for Scotland and made 17 appearances for Rangers during a loan spell in the 2017-18 season, returns to management for the first time since he was sacked by Premier League club Southampton in December. The 39-year-old took charge of Southampton in 2023 and guided them to promotion via the playoffs in his first season at the club, earning plaudits for his side's attractive style of football. They were brutally exposed in the top flight, however, losing 13 of their opening 16 games and going on to suffer the earliest relegation from the Premier League with seven games left in the season. "From my time here, I had a taste of how special this club is, the expectation, the passion and the history," Martin, who has also coached Swansea City and MK Dons, said in a statement. "Now, as I return, I'm determined to bring success back, for the supporters, the players, and everyone inside this club. "There's a lot to be done, but the goal is clear: win matches, win trophies, and give Rangers fans a team that they can be proud of. We want to play with bravery, to take the ball, to be aggressive, and to stand up in the big moments." Rangers, who were taken over by an American consortium of investors led by Andrew Cavenagh and 49ers Enterprises in May, finished their domestic campaign second behind rivals Celtic for the fourth consecutive year, last winning the league in 2020-21. Rangers will enter Champions League qualifying in the second round. (Reporting by Aadi Nair in Bengaluru; Editing by Peter Rutherford)
