Egypt’s national team coach Hector Cuper has said that he respects the criticism of his work as part of the game, in comments about his achievements in Europe before leading the Pharaohs to the 2018 World Cup in Russia.

"I respect criticism as I always tell the people who describe me as a failed coach that they are right," the national team coach was quoted as saying by Argentinean newspaper lanacion.

"As I appreciate the praise, I also have to accept the criticism,"

"We can't neglect my achievement with Valencia when I led them to the UEFA Champions League final as well as leading Mallorca to the Supercopa de España final,"

"Mourinho always wins the finals and it's a great ability that I don't have," the Argentinean added.

Cuper, who won the Confederation of African Football’s ccoach of the year award at their annual ceremony in Accra last month, promised to achieve more in the 2018 World Cup tournament.

"Despite losing the finals I succeeded with Egypt to reach the World Cup finals. Here I won the final result,"

"This achievement pleased 70 million people and it was great," he added.

The Argentinean coach has helped Egypt reach the 2017 African Cup of Nations final, and also brought an end to the country’s 28-year World Cup drought with a qualification for the tournament in Russia in 2018.

But he joked about how he would manage if Egypt were to reach the final match.

"Egypt in the World Cup final? I wouldn’t attend the game, I would go to the cinema," Cuper said.

"But the Egyptian Football Association wouldn't agree."

"Sure, there is no impossible in football but if I meet Argentina I will fight to win," Cuper said.

"I will do my best to achieve my target."

Egypt are drawn in Group A of the World Cup alongside hosts Russia, as well as Uruguay and Saudi Arabia.

The Pharaohs will kick off their 2018 FIFA World Cup campaign against Uruguay on 15 June. The tournament will be held from 14 June to 15 July 2018 in 11 Russian cities.

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