Zamalek have decided to renew the contract of Coach Hossam Hassan and that of his twin brother, Ibrahim, who is the club’s football director, for two years despite the club’s failure to end a seven-year Egyptian Premier League drought.

“We have decided to extend the contract of Hossam and Ibrahim for two years instead of one,” Zamalek’s president Galal Ibrahim told the club’ official website.

“The official announcement will be within the next few days.”

Hossam Hassan took over at the Cairo giants in November 2009 when they risked the unthinkable prospect of being relegated to the second division after a poor run. He turned their fortunes around to help them to a second-place finish behind arch-rivals, Ahly in 2010.

Zamalek looked on course to win their first league title this season after opening a six-point lead over Ahly at the halfway stage, but a dip in form in the latter stages allowed the Red Devils to clinch a seventh consecutive title.

The White Knights sought to provide stability for the team by retaining the services of Hassan, who said he needed support from the club’s board of directors to strengthen the team’s squad in the close season.

A persistent financial problem took its toll on Zamalek in recent seasons after they failed to lure high-profile players, unlike Ahly who were able to sign a host of stars.