Zamalek caretaker coach Salah bags 2 wins

Mahmoud Elassal , Thursday 8 Jan 2015

Zamalek coach wins his second game in row in the Egyptian Premier League after the departure of Portuguese coach Pacheco

Zamalek coach Mohamed Salah
Zamalek coach Mohamed Salah (Photo: Al-Ahram)

Zamalek caretaker coach Mohamed Salah, who has reportedly been hinting at leaving the Whites to make space for a new foreign manager, just won his second game in the Egyptian Premier League.

The Cairo giants were expected to suffer from the departure of Portuguese coach Jaime Pacheco, who unilaterally terminated his contract after a fallout with outspoken chairman Mortada Mansour, but have won two in a row with Salah at the helm.

Under the direction of caretaker coach Salah, Zamalek have bested Arab Contractors 1-0 in the 17th matchday of the Egyptian Premier League on Wednesday, four days after beating Petrojet 2-1 in the 16th matchday.

"The game was brilliant from both sides and the results were expected," Salah told the Arab Contractors post-game press conference.

"Goalkeeper Ahmed El-Shenawy saved our net more than once in the second half so we managed to win the three points of the game."

"I thank all the team's players for the second victory with them, as they show that they can work with any coach." Salah concluded.

Zamalek remain on top with 40 points, three clear of second-placed ENPPI who claimed a late 1-0 victory over Gouna earlier in the day. Their win over Contractors will boost their morale ahead of the Cairo derby against archrivals Ahly on 29 January.

Former Zamalek star Hassan Shehata, who is now in charge of Arab Contractors, has revealed that he has been in talks with Zamalek about returning to the side, but confirmed he would not be leaving his current post unless called up to the national team.

Shehata, who led Egypt to three successive African Cup of Nations titles during the last decade, made his name as a prominent Zamalek star from the late 1960s to early 1980s.

His match against Salah’s Zamalek was his first time facing the club as an opponent in almost 10 years.

"I promised Arab Contractors management that I would not leave the team unless called upon to lead the Egyptian national team," Shehata told a television programme after the game.

"I thank Arab Contractors for their performance during the game despite the loss to Zamalek but they did their best throughout the game," the tactician concluded.

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