By Sama Marwan,
Portuguese coach José Gomes, currently managing Zamalek, has reportedly signed a contract to take over as the head coach of Al-Fateh Club in Saudi Arabia. According to Saudi radio station “UFM,” the deal includes all financial terms finalized between Gomes and Al-Fateh’s management.
Key Developments:
- Gomes’ Departure Plans:
- Gomes intends for his training session with Zamalek on Wednesday to be his final one before heading to Saudi Arabia.
- Zamalek’s board is making significant attempts to convince Gomes to reconsider, including offering an improved contract.
- Gomes’ Official Request:
- The coach formally requested to leave, as confirmed by Amir Hisham during his “Plus 90” show. Gomes expressed dissatisfaction due to delayed contract negotiations and unmet demands regarding squad reinforcements.
- Criticism of Zamalek Management:
- Analysts and commentators, including Hisham, criticized Zamalek’s leadership under Hussein Labib for their handling of Gomes’ contract renewal. They pointed to broader financial and organizational issues, including unpaid player wages and failure to meet the coach’s demands for new signings.
- Achievements and Impact:
- Gomes has been credited with achieving significant results during his tenure, such as winning the CAF Confederation Cup and the African Super Cup. His potential departure is viewed as a significant loss for the club.
- Challenges for Zamalek:
- In addition to Gomes’ departure, Zamalek faces challenges in renewing contracts for key players like Zizo, adding to the club’s ongoing issues.
This situation highlights internal struggles within Zamalek, including financial difficulties and administrative inefficiencies, which have contributed to losing a high-performing coach.
