Egyptian Youth Minister Khaled Abdel-Aziz has stated that he will back former national team coach Hassan Shehata to succeed the current American manager, Bob Bradley.

"Shehata has charisma that will enable him to gain popular support," the interim minster said during a TV interview Monday.

"His previous accomplishments make him the best man for the job. His technical and strategic skills will help Egypt return to the place it deserves to be regionally and internationally," he added.

According to Abdel-Aziz, Shehata is among the top four Egyptian coaches favoured to replace Bradley as the Pharaohs' coach, along with Shawky Gharib, Hossam El-Badry and Hossam Hassan.

64-year-old former coach Shehata led the Pharaohs to three successive Africa Cup of Nations (CAN) trophies in 2006, 2008 and 2010. However, still under Shehata's leadership, the team failed to qualify for the 2010 World Cup or the 2012 CAN tournament.

Current coach Bradley is leaving Egypt empty-handed after failing to qualify for the 2013 CAN finals or the 2014 World Cup. Despite obtaining full marks in the group stage after winning six successive matches, the Pharaohs lost 6-1 to Ghana in Kumasi last month, ending the Egyptian dream of playing in their first World Cup since 1990.

(For more sports news and updates, follow Ahram Online Sports on Twitter at @AO_Sports and on Facebook at AhramOnlineSports.)