Full Name: Reda Mohamed Abdel Aal Sultan
Date of Birth: March 15, 1965 (Age: 59)
Place of Birth: Qalyubia, Egypt
Nationality: Egyptian
Height: 1.66 meters (5 feet 5 1/2 inches)
Position: Midfielder (Playmaker)
Playing Career
1. Early Years at Nile Lel Adwiah (1983-1987)
Reda Abdel Aal began his football career at Nile Lel Adwiah Club, an Egyptian second-division team. He started in the youth ranks and was eventually promoted to the senior team. While not widely known at this stage, his performances with Nile Lel Adwiah attracted attention from larger Egyptian clubs.
2. Zamalek SC (1987-1993)
In 1987, Reda Abdel Aal transferred to Zamalek SC, one of Egypt's and Africa's top clubs.
- He played for Zamalek until 1993 and became one of the club's key players during his tenure.
- Achievements with Zamalek:
- Egyptian Premier League: Won 2 times.
- Egypt Cup: Won 1 time.
- CAF Champions League: Won 1 time.
- CAF Super Cup: Won 1 time.
During this period, Abdel Aal was known for his ability to control the midfield, deliver precise passes, and shoot from distance. He was an essential part of Zamalek's attacking and defensive schemes.
3. Al Ahly SC (1993-1998)
In 1993, Reda Abdel Aal moved to Al Ahly SC, another Egyptian football giant.
- During his time at Al Ahly, he helped the club win several local and continental trophies, solidifying his reputation as a top midfielder.
- Achievements with Al Ahly:
- Egyptian Premier League: Won 3 times.
- Egypt Cup: Won 2 times.
- CAF Champions League: Won 2 times.
- CAF Super Cup: Won 1 time.
Abdel Aal continued to excel in the midfield, using his vision and technique to dictate the tempo of matches. He played a pivotal role in many of Al Ahly's important fixtures during this era.
4. El-Qanah SC (1998-2000)
In 1998, he joined El-Qanah SC and played there until 2000.
- Despite being in the later years of his playing career, Abdel Aal's experience and leadership helped stabilize the team in the Egyptian Premier League.
International Career with the Egyptian National Team
- Egypt National Team (1988-1996)
Reda Abdel Aal played for the Egypt National Team for 8 years, earning 14 caps.- He participated in World Cup qualifiers and Africa Cup of Nations tournaments.
- While not always a first-choice player, his experience and skill made him a valuable asset for the national team during the qualifying stages and friendlies.
- Although he did not win major international titles with Egypt, his individual performances were noteworthy.
Coaching Career
After retiring from playing in the late 1990s, Reda Abdel Aal transitioned into coaching and managed several clubs in the Egyptian football pyramid.
1. 2001 - Bahtem SC
- Abdel Aal began his coaching career at Bahtem SC but had a short tenure before moving on to other opportunities.
2. 2001 - Olympi Club
- He briefly managed Olympi Club during 2001, where he gained initial coaching experience in the Egyptian football scene.
3. 2001-2002 - Nile Sohag
- Abdel Aal took charge of Nile Sohag for the 2001-2002 season, working on team development and achieving modest success.
4. 2003-2004 - Nile Sohag (again)
- He returned to Nile Sohag for a second spell during 2003-2004 and helped improve the team’s overall performance.
5. 2006-2007 - Bani Obaid
- Abdel Aal moved to Bani Obaid in 2006, where he managed the team for a brief period, enhancing their competitiveness in local competitions.
6. 2007-2008 - El-Zarqa
- He worked at El-Zarqa during 2007-2008, a club facing financial and squad limitations, but Abdel Aal still managed to provide stability.
7. 2008 - Ittihad Nabrouh
- He briefly coached Ittihad Nabrouh in 2008, but his tenure was short due to various factors.
8. 2009 - Damanhour Sports Club
- Abdel Aal was appointed manager of Damanhour Sports Club in 2009 and brought some stability to the team.
9. 2009-2010 - Ittihad Nabrouh (again)
- Abdel Aal returned to Ittihad Nabrouh for a second stint in 2009-2010.
10. 2010-2014 - Tanta SC
- His longest managerial spell was with Tanta SC, where he worked from 2010 to 2014, helping the team in their bid to stay competitive in the Egyptian Premier League.
11. 2014-2015 - El-Entag El-Harby
- In 2014, Abdel Aal moved to El-Entag El-Harby, continuing his coaching career at the top level of Egyptian football.
12. 2016 - Shbeen El-Kom SC
- In 2016, he had a short spell with Shbeen El-Kom SC, where he worked on improving their form in the lower divisions.
13. 2016-2017 - Damanhour Sports Club (again)
- He returned for a second tenure with Damanhour Sports Club in 2016-2017, aiming to help them avoid relegation.
14. 2017 - Ittihad Nabrouh (again)
- Abdel Aal returned to Ittihad Nabrouh in 2017, where he remained for the remainder of the season.
15. 2019-2020 - Baladiyat Al-Mahalla
- He took charge of Baladiyat Al-Mahalla in 2019-2020, striving to lead the team to greater success.
16. 2020-2021 - Tanta SC (again)
- His final managerial job was with Tanta SC during the 2020-2021 season, which was his third spell at the club.
Coaching Skills and Abilities
-
Tactical Insight:
Reda Abdel Aal is known for his sharp tactical awareness and quick match analysis, making him a competent coach in strategic situations. -
Passing Precision:
As a player, Abdel Aal was renowned for his ability to deliver precise passes. He transferred these skills to his coaching, focusing on the importance of ball distribution and possession. -
Leadership and Team Building:
Throughout his coaching career, Abdel Aal demonstrated strong leadership skills, helping to build competitive teams even under financial or structural limitations. -
Motivational Skills:
He was recognized for his ability to motivate players, especially in tough situations, drawing on his experience as a player to inspire younger footballers.
Personal Life and Media Appearances
-
Hobbies:
In his free time, Reda Abdel Aal enjoys following football and other sports, while also reading in various fields. -
Media Presence:
Reda Abdel Aal is also known for his work as a sports analyst on Egyptian television, where his opinions are highly regarded for being candid and insightful. -
Public Engagement:
He maintains an active presence on social media, engaging with fans and football enthusiasts, continuing to share his knowledge and opinions on the game.