Ibrahim Hassan

Full Name:

Ibrahim Hassan Hassanein Ahmed

Date of Birth:

August 10, 1966 (58 years old)

Place of Birth:

Helwan, Cairo, Egypt

Height:

1.78 m (5 ft 10 in)

Position:

Right-back

Nationality:

Egyptian

Sibling:

Hossam Hassan (his twin brother and frequent partner in both playing and coaching careers).

Professional Playing Career

1. Early Years with Al Ahly (1984-1990):

• Began his football journey with Al Ahly’s senior team in 1984 after being promoted from the youth academy.
• Played 78 matches, scoring 14 goals during this period.
• Helped the team win several local and continental titles, including:
  • Egyptian Premier League (4 times).
  • Egypt Cup (3 times).
  • CAF Champions League (2 times).
  • CAF Super Cup (1 time).

2. European Experience (1990-1992):

- PAOK Thessaloniki (Greece):

• Joined PAOK for the 1990/1991 season.
• Played 24 matches, scoring 6 goals, showcasing impressive performances as a professional right-back.

- Neuchâtel Xamax (Switzerland):

• Moved to Neuchâtel in the 1991/1992 season.
• Played 13 matches, scoring 1 goal.
• Achieved a remarkable feat by scoring four goals against Celtic in the UEFA Cup, making him one of only four players in history to score a quadruple in a single European match.

3. Return to Al Ahly (1992-1999):

• Returned to Al Ahly to continue his illustrious career.
• Played 161 matches, scoring 24 goals, and played a pivotal role in the team’s dominance in local and African competitions.

4. Al Ain (UAE) (1999-2000):

• Moved to Al Ain for one season.
• Played 5 matches, without notable success compared to his previous tenures.

5. Zamalek (2000-2004):

• Joined Zamalek, forming a powerful partnership with his brother, Hossam Hassan.
• Played 61 matches, scoring 12 goals.
• Won major titles with the team, including:
  • CAF Champions League (2002).
  • Egyptian Premier League (2 times).
  • CAF Super Cup (2003).

6. Al-Masry (2004-2006):

• Ended his playing career at Al-Masry.
• Played 47 matches, scoring 4 goals.
• Continued to perform at a high level despite advancing in age.

International Career with Egypt (1985-2002)

• Represented the Egyptian national team in 131 matches, scoring 14 goals.
• Participated in numerous continental and global tournaments, including:
  • 1990 FIFA World Cup in Italy: Played all three group-stage matches.
  • 1998 African Cup of Nations: Played a key role in Egypt’s title victory.
  • 1992 Arab Cup: Helped Egypt win the tournament.

Key Achievements with the National Team:

1. Scored a decisive goal against Algeria in the 1990 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, securing Egypt’s place in the tournament.
2. Contributed significantly to winning the 1998 African Cup of Nations in Burkina Faso.
3. Participated in two African Cup of Nations tournaments 20 years apart, showcasing remarkable longevity.

Coaching Career

1. Al-Masry (2007-2009):

• Served as Football Director alongside his brother, Hossam Hassan.
• Helped save the team from relegation and brought stability to the club.

2. Telecom Egypt (2009):

• Took the role of Football Director, improving the team's performance despite their eventual relegation to the second division.

3. Zamalek (2009-2011):

• Played a key role in the team’s resurgence, lifting Zamalek from 14th place to 2nd in the Egyptian Premier League standings.

4. Ismaily (2011):

• Briefly worked as Football Director but resigned due to conflicts with the management.

5. Jordan National Team (2013-2014):

• Assisted the team in qualifying for the intercontinental playoffs for the 2014 FIFA World Cup.

6. Return to Al-Masry (2015 - Present):

• Rejoined Al-Masry during multiple spells, achieving strong performances and bringing the team back into local and regional contention.

Major Achievements as a Football Director:

• Led the Jordan National Team to the intercontinental playoffs for the 2014 World Cup qualifiers.
• Contributed to Zamalek’s stability and strong performances during challenging periods.
• Revitalized Al-Masry’s competitiveness in the Egyptian Premier League.

Personal Life

• Known for his strong personality both on and off the field.
• His relationship with his twin brother, Hossam Hassan, has been central to his career, with the duo consistently working together across teams and clubs.
• Renowned for his dedication and discipline as both a player and a manager.

Legacy in Football

Ibrahim Hassan is not just remembered as a talented right-back but also as an influential figure in Egyptian football history. His resilience, skill, and leadership have left an indelible mark on both the national and club levels. As a player and manager, he remains a role model for future generations in Egyptian and African football.