Martin Jol (Photo: Ahly's official website)
Ahly’s management gave coach Martin Jol a vote of confidence after recent rumours that the Dutch tactician would be sacked following the team’s Egypt Cup failure.
"The club isn't discussing Jol’s departure at all. The coach guided the team to the league title, the cup final and we are still competing in the Champions league," Ahly said in a long statement late on Tuesday.
"The coach has set a professional system for the team starting from the new season and that needs more stability to achieve our supporters' targets," the statement added.
On Monday, the league Champions Ahly lost the Cup title after a 3-1 defeat to rivals Zamalek -- missing out on the title of the country's secondary domestic competition for the eighth successive season.
Jol, who took charge of Ahly in February, recently came under fire after some poor performances by the Cairo giants who are already struggling to cope with major absences -- especially following moves by Ramadan Sobhi to Stoke City and Malick Evouna to China's Tianjin Teda.
The 60-year-old former Tottenham and Ajax coach, Jol, awaits a new challenge with the Reds when they face Zambian team ZESCO United Friday in the African Champions League group stage.
"The team is preparing for a crucial match against ZESCO so it is not logical to discuss the cup's exit reasons at this critical time," Ahly's statement explained.
"We hope that Egyptian media make sure of Ahly's news ahead of publishing it, and also we ask the fans to stand behind the team as usual," concluded the statement.
Ahly renewed their slim hopes of winning the prestigious African title after a precious 1-0 away victory over Morocco's Wydad Casablanca on 27 July.
The Egyptians are third in their Group A on four points, on level with ASEC and three short of joint leaders Wydad and ZESCO with two matches remaining.
(For more sports news and updates, follow Ahram Online Sports on Twitter at @AO_Sports and on Facebook at AhramOnlineSports.)
Short link: