Al Ahly part ways with coach Koller after Sundowns semi defeat
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, after 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.
You will always be part of Al Ahly family ❤️ pic.twitter.com/iggHsf3j7v
— Al Ahly SC 🇬🇧 (@AlAhlyEnglish) April 26, 2025
'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.
Since taking the helm in September 2022, when he replaced South African Pitso Mosimane, the former FC Basel and FC Köln coach steered Al Ahly to several trophies, including two Champions League titles.
In Friday's other semifinal second leg, also between a South African and Egyptian club, Pyramids FC beat Orlando Pirates 3-2 at June 30 Air Defence Stadium in Cairo to progress by the same scoreline on aggregate.
The final will be played at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria on May 24, with the second leg at June 30 Stadium on June 1.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
IOL News
43 minutes ago
- IOL News
5 Mamelodi Sundowns players left out of Club World Cup squad
BIG NAMES LEFT OUT Mamelodi Sundowns announced their Club World Cup squad, leaving out key players like Jody February (pictured), Thapelo Maseko and Matías Esquivel. Photo: Ryan Wilkisky/BackpagePix With the Club World Cup kicking off in the USA on Saturday, there were a number of big-name omissions in the Mamelodi Sundowns squad, which will be hoping to make South Africa proud. With Sundowns' first match a week, scheduled for June 10, against Ulsan HD in Orlando, Florida, it will be with a powerful 26-player squad. As with any squad, there will always be a number of players left disappointed by being left out. Themba Zwane will lead Sundowns at the tournament, with Ronwen Williams handling the vice-captaincy duties.
TimesLIVE
an hour ago
- TimesLIVE
SA is not on newly announced 2026 F1 calendar
Formula One will have two races in Spain next season with Madrid making its debut in September and Italy's Imola dropping off the 24-round calendar, the governing FIA announced on Tuesday. South Africa is not on the schedule after moves to host a Grand Prix in Africa intensified in recent years. Formula One still hopes to return to Africa and is talking to three possible venues but any race deal looks a long way off, F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali said in May. The continent is the major omission on a record 24-race calendar and last hosted a grand prix at South Africa's Kyalami circuit in 1993. Melbourne's Australian Grand Prix will again be the season-opener on March 8 with China's Shanghai circuit hosting round two a week later as the sport enters a new engine era with Cadillac arriving as an 11th team. Monaco will be the first European round on June 7 with Barcelona's Circuit de Catalunya scheduled the next week. Madrid's new street circuit will debut as the last race in Europe on September 13, the weekend after the Italian Grand Prix at Monza. Imola was out of contract after this year's race and drops off the list. The season will end in Abu Dhabi on December 6. "We are excited to welcome Madrid to the calendar, and to see huge automotive brands such as Audi, Cadillac and Ford join the Formula One grid," said Formula One CEO Stefano Domenicali. Swiss-based Sauber will become the Audi works team in 2026 while Ford are partnering with Red Bull. Calendar: March 8 - Australia, Melbourne March 15 - China, Shanghai March 29 - Japan, Suzuka April 12 - Bahrain, Sakhir April 19 - Saudi Arabia, Jeddah May 3 - US, Miami May 24 - Canada, Montreal June 7 - Monaco June 14 - Spain, Barcelona June 28 - Austria, Spielberg July 5 - Britain, Silverstone July 19 - Belgium, Spa-Francorchamps July 26 - Hungary, Budapest August 23 - Netherlands, Zandvoort September 6 - Italy, Monza September 13 - Spain, Madrid September 27 - Azerbaijan, Baku October 11 - Singapore October 25 - US, Austin November 1 - Mexico, Mexico City November 8 - Brazil, Sao Paulo November 21 - US, Las Vegas November 29 - Qatar December 6 - Abu Dhabi
TimesLIVE
2 hours ago
- TimesLIVE
F1's 2026 schedule axes Imola, adds second Spanish GP
Formula One will have two races in Spain next season with Madrid making its debut in September and Italy's Imola dropping off the 24-round calendar, the governing FIA announced on Tuesday. Melbourne's Australian Grand Prix will again be the season-opener on March 8 with China's Shanghai circuit hosting round two a week later as the sport enters a new engine era with Cadillac arriving as an 11th team. Monaco will be the first European round on June 7 with Barcelona's Circuit de Catalunya scheduled the next week. Madrid's new street circuit will debut as the last race in Europe on September 13, the weekend after the Italian Grand Prix at Monza. Imola was out of contract after this year's race and drops off the list. The season will end in Abu Dhabi on December 6. "We are excited to welcome Madrid to the calendar, and to see huge automotive brands such as Audi, Cadillac and Ford join the Formula One grid," said Formula One CEO Stefano Domenicali. Swiss-based Sauber will become the Audi works team in 2026 while Ford are partnering with Red Bull. Calendar: March 8 - Australia, Melbourne March 15 - China, Shanghai March 29 - Japan, Suzuka April 12 - Bahrain, Sakhir April 19 - Saudi Arabia, Jeddah May 3 - US, Miami May 24 - Canada, Montreal June 7 - Monaco June 14 - Spain, Barcelona June 28 - Austria, Spielberg July 5 - Britain, Silverstone July 19 - Belgium, Spa-Francorchamps July 26 - Hungary, Budapest August 23 - Netherlands, Zandvoort September 6 - Italy, Monza September 13 - Spain, Madrid September 27 - Azerbaijan, Baku October 11 - Singapore October 25 - US, Austin November 1 - Mexico, Mexico City November 8 - Brazil, Sao Paulo November 21 - US, Las Vegas November 29 - Qatar December 6 - Abu Dhabi
