Ahly coach Thorup.. Photo courtesy of Al Ahly FC
The Cairo giants exited 4-2 on aggregate after also losing 1-0 in the first leg in Tunisia, with Saturday’s result marking Esperance’s first-ever Champions League win over Ahly in Egypt.
“I take responsibility for the loss and our exit from the Champions League. This is my role as the team’s coach,” Thorup told reporters after the match.
The Danish coach acknowledged supporters’ frustration, noting that defeat is unfamiliar territory for the club. “I understand the anger and disappointment because losing is not something Ahly is used to. Our objective from the beginning was to win, but we did not achieve that,” he said.
Thorup said his side produced a strong first-half display but failed to maintain their momentum after the break. “We performed well in the first half and wanted to add a second goal in the second half, but that did not happen,” he added.
He identified a brief lapse in concentration as decisive, with Esperance scoring twice in quick succession. “We lost the game in three minutes after Esperance scored two goals from our mistakes. I apologise to the club for exiting the competition,” he said.
The coach also defended his in-game decisions, particularly his reluctance to make early substitutions. “To score one or two goals, we needed to create many clear chances. I believed the players on the pitch were performing well, so I did not rush to make changes,” he explained.
Asked about his future after losing three titles with Ahly, Thorup said the decision rests with the club. “I am not the one who decides my future. I do my job, and if the club wants me to continue, I respect that. This is a difficult time for Ahly and its fans,” he concluded.
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