Brazilian coach Rogério Micale has officially announced his departure as head coach of Egypt’s U-20 Olympic team following the Egyptian Football Association’s (EFA) decision to breach his contract according to him.
In a statement shared on Monday, Micale revealed that the EFA approached him weeks ago with a request to reduce his contract due to financial difficulties. Despite his agreement to a reduction starting in 2025, the EFA demanded further cuts ultimately leading to the termination of the agreement according to Micale.
Micale’s tenure, which began in August 2022, saw notable achievements including leading Egypt to the semifinals of the 2024 Paris Olympics and securing qualification for the U-20 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2025.
Below is the full statement from Rogerio Micale:
Hello Egypt,
Today I was officially informed by the EFA that they decided to breach my employment contract signed last October and valid until the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.
A couple of weeks ago I was approached by the EFA with a request to reduce the contract due to financial difficulties. I promptly accepted to help and to substantially reduce the contract in 2025, but subsequently, the EFA requested an even much higher reduction.
I would like to express my deepest gratitude to the EFA, players, and staff that worked with me in the past two and a half years.
It was an honour to be ahead of the Olympic national team and to achieve the semifinals on the 2024 games.
Our project for the next Olympics also started well and I leave the 2005 team qualified for the AFCON U-20 and on the path to qualify for the next Olympic Games.
I also leave a legacy of many young players now performing regularly for the Egyptian first team and many others for their clubs.
Finally, I must send a big thank you to the Egyptian people. You are the main reason why I don’t want this to be a goodbye, but I will see you soon.
I wish you all a blessed and successful 2025.
-Rogério Micale
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