A well-informed source from within Al Ahly SC has revealed that negotiations with German coach Marco Rose—who was a leading candidate to take over as head coach of the club's first team—have recently stalled, despite reaching relatively advanced stages.
The source explained that Al Ahly, which is actively searching for a new foreign coach to replace Swiss manager Marcel Koller, found Marco Rose’s financial demands to be excessive. The German coach reportedly requested an annual salary of $4.5 million, along with bringing in a backroom staff of six foreign assistants—conditions that did not align with Al Ahly’s financial and technical plans.
The club had recently parted ways with Marcel Koller following the team's exit from the CAF Champions League at the hands of South Africa’s Mamelodi Sundowns. This early elimination accelerated the need to appoint a new head coach in preparation for upcoming challenges, most notably the FIFA Club World Cup, set to be hosted in the United States this June.
The same source noted that Al Ahly's Planning Committee and Football Committee are now evaluating several coaching profiles in case talks with Marco Rose fall through entirely. Among the candidates being considered are three notable Portuguese coaches with European experience and previous participation in international competitions.
One prominent name on the shortlist is Portuguese coach José Gomes, former manager of Zamalek and current head coach of Al-Fateh SC in Saudi Arabia. However, his current contractual obligations with the Saudi club may pose a hurdle. Al Ahly’s management is reportedly exploring the possibility of either waiting until the end of the current season or negotiating a mutual agreement with Al-Fateh to release him early—if selected as the top choice.
Meanwhile, Al Ahly’s football management team is intensifying efforts to provide all necessary support to the incoming head coach. The goal is to quickly reorganize the squad and ensure top-level physical and tactical preparation ahead of the Club World Cup, which features some of the world’s elite teams.
It’s worth noting that the club’s administration continues to prioritize hiring a coach with a strong track record in major tournaments—someone capable of delivering immediate and long-term value while understanding the pressures and expectations of managing a high-profile club like Al Ahly.
As negotiations continue with other candidates, Al Ahly is racing against time to finalize the appointment as soon as possible. Fans remain on edge, eagerly awaiting the official announcement of the new head coach, with great anticipation regarding the team’s future in both domestic and continental competitions.
