Will Pitso Mosimane return to Al Ahly?

Mosimane (left): Photo Credit: Mosimane’s Facebook page.

Some quarters of the Egyptian football media have ruled out the prospect of Al Ahly considering a return for Pitso ‘Jingles’ Mosimane following Marcel Koller’s departure.

Pan-Africa Football spoke to Egyptian journalists for insights into Al Ahly’s plans following the Swiss coach’s departure after their CAF Champions League semi-final exit.

Most reporters agreed that the Club of the Century is targeting a coach from one of Europe’s top leagues.

Egyptian sports reporter Ahmed Fahmy hinted that Al Ahly would likely recruit a European coach: “Al Ahly will appoint Emad El Nahas as interim head coach […] before hiring a foreign coach from Europe.”

When asked why the Red Devils would not consider a reunion with Mosimane, Fahmy explained that the former Mamelodi Sundowns boss “would not be suitable for the upcoming period”.

Fellow Egyptian reporter, Ahmed Attah, echoed Fahmy’s sentiments: “I think there’s no chance of this happening. Mosimane left with a lot of problems.”

Attah cited Mosimane’s failure to secure back-to-back league titles and an alleged fallout with the board and some players as key reasons Al Ahly are not entertaining a return for the 60-year-old.

However, the claims of a fallout could not be substantiated, as the Red Devils had indicated they wanted to retain the former Bafana Bafana coach when he departed in 2022.

The 60-year-old parted ways with Al Ahly in mid-2022 after a 2-0 loss to Wydad Casablanca in the CAF Champions League final. Mosimane had previously led the Egyptian giants to two CAF Champions League titles after joining in 2020 from Mamelodi Sundowns.

He also guided Al Ahly to consecutive bronze medals at the FIFA Club World Cup.