Zamalek's coach Alex McLeish during a press conference (Photo: Hatem Maher)
Zamalek's Scottish coach Alex McLeish will remain in charge despite Monday's league loss to Ismaily, the club's chairman Mortada Mansour said, despite earlier threatening to interfere in the selection of the team's line-ups.
The defending champions missed out on a chance to close the gap on leaders Ahly after losing 1-0 at home to Ismaily in the Egyptian Premier League on Monday.
"McLeish will remain in his post, but next time I will be intervening in his selections for the matches," Mansour initially told Nile Sport TV channel after the match.
"When I did that before, we won the league and Cup titles last season. Now as I am not choosing the line-ups, the gap with rivals Ahly has reached nine points," added Mansour, referring to the club's success in winning the domestic double under former coach Jesualdo Ferreira of Portugal, the first time since 1988.
Conceding their second defeat under McLeish, who took the helm late February, second-placed Zamalek are now nine points behind arch-rivals Ahly, who are on top with 50 points.
An angry Mortada then retracted his threat to intervene in the selection process.
"Ok, I will not interfere in choosing the line-up, but as I am responsible for the club I will be asking the coach about some things," the outspoken lawyer explained.
"I will ask him about his selections for the matches and also why he was late in his substitutions. It is my right," concluded Mansour.
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