Hossam Hassan, the newly appointed coach of the Egypt national team, expressed his profound pride and appreciation on Thursday, calling his appointment a “dream come true.” He emphasized the importance of fan support for the Pharaohs to succeed.
The Egyptian Football Association (EFA) appointed the former prolific goalscorer as the national team’s head coach on 6 February, following a disappointing performance by the Pharaohs in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON 2023) under Portuguese tactician Rui Vitoria.
The 57-year-old tactician took over from Vitoria, who was dismissed two days earlier after failing to guide the record seven-time AFCON champions past the round of 16. Hossam Hassan will lead the Pharaohs until 2026, as confirmed by EFA President Galal Allam.
“Leading Egypt is a tremendous honour,” the 57-year-old Hassan declared at his introductory press conference. “It’s a dream that has haunted me for many years and has finally come true.
Ibrahim Hassan talks to the Media
Recognizing Egypt’s status as a footballing powerhouse in Africa, Hassan has committed to assembling a team that lives up to the nation’s high expectations. He has acknowledged Egypt’s prominent position in African football and has promised to construct a formidable national team that meets the aspirations of the Egyptian people.
“While interacting with African legends and officials from various federations, I witnessed the immense size and prestige of Egypt. Everyone I encountered held admiration and appreciation for our national team and its rich history. We are a truly great team on the continent, and great teams must always strive to remain great.”
“I promise the Egyptians and the political leadership that I will do my utmost to build a strong national team, restore Egypt’s rightful place, and fulfill the aspirations of the fans,” he added.
The former coach of Zamalek, Masry, and Ismaily recognizes the immense pressure on his shoulders and underscores his dedication to delivering success and joy to the Egyptian populace.
“The joy I witnessed in the eyes of Egyptians, regardless of their affiliations, made me feel deeply indebted to them,” he confessed. “Their happiness is my priority.”
“However, we need everyone’s support and understanding,” Hassan emphasized. “Patience is crucial, especially as we have a local coaching staff. I urge everyone to rally behind the national team, not just Hossam.”
Hassan, Egypt’s top scorer of all time with 69 goals in 178 matches, also holds the 16th-highest number of international caps worldwide (170).
The Pharaohs will face their first challenge under Hassan’s leadership in the UAE in March, as Egypt joins an international friendly tournament against Croatia, New Zealand, and Tunisia.
This will be Hassan’s second experience coaching internationally, having previously led Jordan from June 2013 to July 2014, where he steered them to the final round of the Asian qualifiers for the 2014 World Cup.
