File Photo: Zamalek Coach Motamed Gamal. Ahram.
Edward informed club management that he was resigning from his post, with sources indicating the decision followed disagreements with the board over the working plan for next season — chief among them the coaching file and several organisational matters within the squad. Edward reportedly told management he would not reconsider his decision.
He had taken up the sporting director role at the start of last season and was credited with helping steer the White Knights to the Egyptian league title, as well as the club's return to the CAF Champions League after a three-season absence.
Edward's appointment had been notable in itself: the powers granted to him marked the first time a sporting director had been given full, sole authority over team affairs at Zamalek, and arguably in Egyptian football more broadly. While the position exists on paper at several Egyptian clubs, it has rarely if ever been implemented with such scope in practice. Traditionally, boards and club chairmen retain direct supervisory control over team matters in Egypt, and it was this departure from convention that reportedly put Edward on a collision course with some board members and former officials during his tenure.
During his early months in the role, Edward oversaw a significant rebuild of the squad, bringing in around a dozen new players. Not all of those signings worked out, though the squad overhaul was nonetheless central to the platform that delivered the league title.
The Zamalek board formally accepted his resignation and said a new sporting director would be named soon. The club also announced it would hold a farewell and appreciation ceremony for Edward, thanking him for his time at the club.
In their official statement, Zamalek said it had decided to keep Motamed Gamal in charge of the first team "and grant him full authority to manage the team's affairs, along with all the requirements needed to help him continue his success," citing his strong performance last season.
Gamal, 53, had been brought in as interim coach midway through last season and went on to lead Zamalek to their 15th league title, though the team lost the CAF Confederation Cup final to Algeria's USM Alger on penalties. Despite that success, his future at the club remained unclear after the season ended, with Zamalek holding advanced talks over appointing a foreign coach before ultimately opting to stick with Gamal.
Zamalek announced their pre-season training camp will begin on Friday, 31 July, ahead of the new Egyptian league season, which kicks off on 20 August.
The club are set to compete on five fronts next season: the league, the Egyptian Cup, the Super Cup, the League Cup, and the CAF Champions League — their first Champions League campaign in three years.
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