Published Date: 2025-05-07 10:02:37 Updated At: 2025-05-07 10:02:37

The Board of Directors of Zamalek SC, headed by Hussein Labib, has decided to terminate the contract of Portuguese head coach José Peseiro by mutual consent, following a series of poor results that failed to meet the aspirations of the club's fans and management. The decision came after a comprehensive review of the team’s technical status and several intensive meetings within the club, the last of which was held after the disappointing draw against National Bank in the Egyptian Premier League.

Peseiro's departure did not come as a surprise to observers, especially amid the team's technical decline and unstable results since he took charge. Despite the Portuguese coach’s impressive resume, which includes stints with prominent clubs and national teams, his impact at Zamalek was not evident. This led to increasing pressure from the fans, who repeatedly expressed dissatisfaction with the dull performances, lack of attacking effectiveness, and defensive discipline.

Since officially taking over as head coach of the first football team on February 14, 2025, Peseiro led Zamalek in 17 matches across various competitions. He won only 7 matches, one of which was an administrative win against Al Ahly after their withdrawal, drew 8 times, and suffered 2 defeats. These results fell short of Zamalek’s ambitions to compete for titles and sparked widespread criticism.

Zamalek’s repeated draws in recent weeks proved to be the final straw. The team drew against Petrojet, Al Ahly, and ZED with identical 1–1 scores, followed by a goalless draw against South Africa’s Stellenbosch in the first leg of the CAF Confederation Cup quarter-finals. The point losses continued with further draws against El Gouna and Modern Sport in the League Cup, and another goalless draw against Al Masry. The crisis reached its peak with a thrilling 2–2 draw against National Bank in the latest league round.

The fans found no justification for Peseiro’s continued tenure, especially with the repeated tactical errors, lack of attacking solutions, and the team’s failure to maintain leads or dominate matches. Moreover, the coach was unable to capitalize on the individual talents of several players, which significantly affected the team’s overall performance.

The club’s board concluded that the current stage requires a change in technical leadership to salvage the remainder of the season and steer the team back on track. The board made sure to end the relationship with Peseiro amicably, out of respect for his career and to avoid potential legal disputes.

Peseiro’s departure raises many questions about the identity of the next head coach and Zamalek’s ability to attract a top name capable of leading the team in both continental and domestic competitions. An announcement is expected soon regarding the formation of either an interim or permanent coaching staff, given the importance of the upcoming period which requires technical and psychological stability for the players and a staff capable of handling fan and media pressure.

It is worth noting that, despite the current struggles, Zamalek still boasts a group of talented players who can perform at a high level under the right coaching team. The board is now tasked with making a wise decision and carefully managing the transitional period, as there is no room for further setbacks—especially with the decisive stages of local and continental tournaments approaching.