Portuguese coach Manuel Jose of Egypt's Al Ahly (Photo: Reuters)
Manuel Jose's third stint in charge of Ahly may soon come to an end due to the uncertain future of Egyptian football in the wake of February's Port Said tragedy, local reports have suggested.
The Egyptian Premier League was indefinitely suspended after the country's worst-ever football disaster left at least 74 fans dead and hundreds injured following an ill-tempered match between Masry and Ahly on 1 February.
Jose is somewhat of a cult figure among Ahly's faithful, given that he led the team to a host of titles during his three stints, including four African Champions League triumphs and seven league accolades. Adoring Ahly fans have also appreciated his consistent and outspoken defence of the club during crises.
However, according to various reports, the Portuguese tactician is not willing to stay put without much work to do. Domestic football activities have been suspended since the Port Said disaster, and there has been no sign yet that authorities plan to alter their stance.
The interior ministry has relentlessly refused to provide security at several competitive games in Egypt following the tragedy. At one point, Ahly faced possible Champions League expulsion before a last-minute decision by the ministry to provide security at a home game against Ethiopian Coffee spared the blushes of Africa's most decorated club.
Al-Ahram's Arabic-language sports website said that Jose had already informed Ahly's board of directors that he would not extend his contract, which expires at the end of June.
"Jose is frustrated with the ongoing turmoil in Egyptian football, which hasn't encouraged him to carry on," the website added.
Other reports suggest Jose might stay if Ahly reached the Champions League group stage. The Red Devils qualified for the last-16 round after overcoming Ethiopian Coffee 3-0 on aggregate.
They will face either Mali's Stade Malien or Tonnerre FC of Benin for a place in the eight-team group stage as they vie for the prestigious title for the first time since 2008.
"The football committee will hold a meeting with Jose this month to settle that matter. Results of the upcoming Champions League game will have no influence on the final decision," Ahly football director Sayed Abdel-Hafiz, who played under Jose's guidance in the early 2000s, told Alarabiya.net.
"We were due to discuss the possibility of extending Jose's contract some time ago, but we had to put that on hold following the Port Said disaster.
"In my view, there will be no problems over Jose's contract extension. He belongs to this club just like any player, and he has a special bond with all the players here," Abdel-Hafiz added.
Given their failure to make up for his departure on two occasions, Ahly will keep their fingers crossed that Jose ultimately decides to stay on.
(For more sports news and updates, follow Ahram Online Sports on Twitter:@AO Sports)
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