The Departure of Koller and 3 Coaches Shortlisted for Al Ahly's Coaching Position
Calls within Al Ahly have intensified for the departure of head coach Marcel Koller, following the team's failure to qualify for the 2025 CAF Champions League final after a 1-1 draw against Mamelodi Sundowns in the semi-final. Despite the match being held at Cairo International Stadium, on home soil and in front of their fans, Al Ahly was unable to secure the victory that would have ensured their qualification, exiting the competition after a goalless draw in the first leg in South Africa.
The issue of Koller’s departure has become a matter of time, as several club officials have agreed that a decision must be made following the elimination by Sundowns. The Red Devils had hoped to maintain their impressive continental record and advance to their sixth consecutive final, but disappointing results in this edition have been a turning point in evaluating the Swiss coach's performance.
Three Coaches on Al Ahly’s Radar
A source within Al Ahly revealed that the management has already started to devise a plan to find Koller’s successor, identifying three coaches with strong résumés as candidates for the role. One of these coaches is Portuguese, another is German, and the third is Danish, with all of them possessing extensive coaching experience both domestically and internationally. The management will need to choose the most suitable coach based on the club’s ambitions and aspirations in the coming period.
Sundowns’ Curse: Koller Against Bafana Bafana
Since Koller took over as Al Ahly’s coach, the team has faced South African side Mamelodi Sundowns six times without securing a single win. In these encounters, the "Bafana Bafana" curse has persisted, with the Swiss coach unable to find the tactical solutions to overcome a team that is considered one of the top competitors in African football.
Even in today's match, where Al Ahly was leading 1-0 until the final moments, the team could not hold onto their lead, losing their dream of qualification in the final minutes. While there were high hopes for the team to secure their first win against Sundowns in this edition, the late equalizer ended Al Ahly’s hopes of reaching the final.
This loss marks another chapter in the series of defeats and draws against Sundowns, with the first defeat coming in the 2023 group stage with a heavy 5-2 loss, followed by another defeat in the 2024 African League 1-0. The other four matches between the two teams all ended in draws, reflecting Koller’s inability to impose his tactical authority over Sundowns.
Performance Evaluation and Upcoming Challenges
The performance of the team under Koller in the 2025 CAF Champions League highlights significant challenges for the Swiss coach in his tenure with Al Ahly. After a period of success in domestic competitions, the team was unable to continue their continental dominance, causing dissatisfaction among the club's supporters and the sports media. From the beginning of his tenure at Al Ahly, eyes have been on how he would perform in high-stakes African matches, but the performance in this edition of the Champions League proved there is a significant gap between the club’s aspirations and the coach’s vision.
Furthermore, failing to overcome Sundowns is not just the result of the last match, but a consequence of a series of negative outcomes against the South African team in recent years. Questions have arisen about Koller’s ability to face such major African teams, especially when strategic planning at the highest level is required to achieve success in a competition Al Ahly strives to win annually.
Koller’s Departure: New Challenges and Hopes
Despite the negative impact of this early exit from the Champions League, the upcoming period presents an opportunity for Al Ahly to regain their balance. Choosing a new coach with modern ideas and a strong coaching career could be the first step towards restoring the team’s prestige on both the continental and domestic fronts. The new coach will need to be capable of developing the players' performance and providing innovative solutions to overcome Al Ahly’s biggest competitors in African competitions.
If the management does indeed decide to change the coach, the question everyone is asking is: will the new coach be able to rebuild the team and achieve the high expectations that Al Ahly’s fans have for the coming years? Although this period may be difficult, the club’s ambitions remain high, and the fans still hope that the future will be brighter and more successful.
Al Ahly Fans' Views and Their Aspirations
Al Ahly’s fans, who have always been a strong support for the team in tough times, believe that the team needs a clear technical restructuring, and that a change in the coaching staff could be the best solution to restore balance. The pressure on the club’s management is significant, especially following the early exit from the Champions League, and the management must make decisive decisions to ensure a return to the right path.
In the end, the coming period is expected to be filled with analyses and speculations about the identity of the next coach, and whether he will be able to continue Al Ahly’s journey toward big titles or if the team will face new challenges in the future.
