Former Egypt coach Hassan Shehata is a frontrunner to manage Oman, Ahram Online has learnt.

Shehata is set to arrive in Oman next week to finalize the deal, few days after leaving Egypt by mutual consent following a hugely-successful six-year era during which the Pharaohs won three consecutive African Cup of Nations titles in 2006, 2008 and 2010.

He will be accompanied by all his Egypt assistants except Shawky Gharib who is reportedly seeking to become a head coach.

Shehata left Egypt following a disappointing goalless draw at home to South Africa on Sunday which all but ended their hopes of qualifying for next year’s Nations Cup finals in Equatorial Guinea and Gabon.

Kuwait and Bahrain were also believed to have approached the 61-year-old, who has his heart set on a switch to Oman.