Former Egypt and Al Ahly goalkeeper turned media personality Ahmed Shobeir has revealed behind-the-scenes details of Zamalek SC’s negotiations with a potential new head coach, amid growing reports linking Portuguese manager Paulo Bento with the club.

Speaking in a recent broadcast, Shobeir stated that Paulo Bento’s name has been strongly circulated within Zamalek in recent hours. However, he pointed out that the deal is far from being finalized due to the manager’s hefty salary demands—reportedly around $2.5 million annually—which Shobeir described as “a very large figure.”

Shobeir questioned, “Is Zamalek currently capable of covering this salary? If the financial resources are available, the deal may go through. If not, it will be very difficult to complete.”
He added that Zamalek’s management, particularly newly appointed Sporting Director John Edward, has already started reviewing the CVs of other potential coaches in case talks with Bento fall through. He emphasized that no final decision has been made yet by the club’s board.

Shobeir confirmed that Zamalek is aiming to hire a top-level coach with solid technical experience who can bring stability to the squad during a crucial phase marked by fan pressure and the desire to get the team back on track.

He concluded by saying that while Paulo Bento remains a strong candidate, alternative options are under serious consideration, and the final decision will depend on the club’s financial capabilities and the technical committee’s evaluation of the candidates.