Ahly’s Swiss coach Rene Weiler revealed that he intends to extend his stay at the club, adding that he has no problems with Saleh Gomaa joining rivals Zamalek.

Weiler, who joined the Cairo giants at the beginning of the current season, has had an outstanding performance with the Reds, leading the team in 31 games, losing in two matches, tying in four, and winning 25.

“We have not discussed the details of my contract extension, but there’s a mutual intention to continue. We don’t know what will happen amid the current situation with the spread of the coronavirus, which postpones my final decision,” the 46-year-old coach told On Time Sports on Monday.

“I think I will continue my journey with Ahly. I’m happy here, and the club wants me to stay, but I want to take it step by step,” he added.

Ahly midfielder Saleh Gomaa was reportedly to negotiate with Zamalek in the winter transfer window as he wasn’t among Weiler’s favorite squad, which the Swiss explained, saying, “It’s very easy. His style is to hold the ball at his feet and penetrate from the depth, I had a discussion with him and told him if he wanted participate, he needs to regain his form from last season.”

“I talked with him, but I can’t talk with him 10 times, I have other players who want to be in the starting line-up. Each player can have the ball for five minutes only and have to help the team in the remaining 85 minutes.

“I informed the board that it would be better for him to search for another club. Saleh Gomaa mustn’t wait for the solution from me as a coach, he has to work on himself. I don’t have problems with him joining Zamalek, I wish him good luck and there,” the Swiss added.

At the same time, Weiler praised the team’s veteran midfielder Hossam Ashour, who decided to leave the team by the end of the current season in his first steps ever outside the red castle.

The 34-year-old midfielder joined the senior squad from the U19 squad in July 2004, spending nearly 16 years with the club, achieving 34 titles on both levels, domestically and continentally.

“Of course, I respect Ashour’s history with the club, but I judge with a technical point of view and he has not participated in a while,” said former Anderlecht coach.

“I give other players my trust. Players such as Aliou Dieng will not evolve without participation and this is my role.

“Ashour is a great player, but currently there are many players who are better than him at the same position,” he added.

Weiler commented on the Egypt Super Cup crises between Ahly and Zamalek in Abu Dhabi, when Zamalek won the game 4-3 on penalties then players from both teams were involved in a fight, resulting in many sanctions for the clubs.

“What upset me after the Egypt Super Cup game was the behavior of the players. We have to be role models and respect the shirts we are wearing. I congratulated the Zamalek coach after the game and that’s all,” said Weiler.

“I am not talking about Kahraba specifically, I am speaking in general. We have to respect the laws of fair play even in times of frustration,” he added.

Weiler has been criticised for making Kahraba participate in the game after he joined Ahly from Zamalek in a controversial deal, but he justified his action as a technical decision.

“Kahraba was provoked and he provoked Zamalek players. This happens all over the world. I approved his transfer but asked him to work on himself a lot because he wasn’t in form,” said Ahly coach.

“Did I decide to freeze Kahraba and the board refused? That can’t be said, all the technical decisions are in my hand, and I didn’t freeze the player,” he said.

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