Egyptian FA Sacks Hossam Hassan, Appoints Ali Maher as Egypt Coach

The Egyptian Football Association (EFA) dismissed national team head coach Hossam Hassan and his staff on Saturday 7 November, and appointed Ceramica Cleopatra coach Ali Maher to lead the Pharaohs.

In a statement shared on social media, the EFA said its board had decided to thank Hassan and his technical and administrative staff “in line with the terms of the contract.” The decision followed a review of “the circumstances and events of the past period” and what the board described as their negative effect on the national team’s image and stability.

The EFA did not say which events it was referring to. Earlier this week, Egypt’s Supreme Council for Media Regulation barred Hassan from appearing in all media outlets, citing what it called violations of the rules on respecting private life, in its response to a public dispute between Hassan and his former wife. The council had also written to the EFA in September, asking it to take whatever action it considered appropriate regarding Hassan.

In an earlier statement on Saturday, the EFA said the senior team’s interests came first and that keeping the team stable was a priority that allowed no complacency. That statement called on the media and fans to support the team but did not address Hassan’s future.

The association thanked Hassan for his work and wished him success in the next stage of his career. It asked Maher to present his plans for forming his technical staff.

Maher, 52, takes over after a successful spell at Ceramica Cleopatra, and has previously coached Smouha, ENPPI, Al Masry and Modern Sport.

Hassan’s tenure

Hassan, Egypt’s all-time leading scorer as a player, took charge of the national team in February 2024, replacing Portuguese coach Rui Vitória. He leaves after 38 matches, with 21 wins, 10 draws and seven defeats.

Egypt finished fourth at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco. At the 2026 World Cup, Hassan led the team to the round of 16, where they lost 3-2 to Argentina, and the EFA then extended his contract until 2030.

After the Argentina match, FIFA banned Hassan and his twin brother Ibrahim Hassan, the team director, for three matches, ruling both out of the upcoming games against Malawi and Egypt’s March qualifier against Angola. The goalless home draw with Angola in September had also drawn scrutiny after Hassan took off Mohamed Salah in the 60th minute.

Egypt are due to begin a training camp on 9 November ahead of two 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Malawi, at Cairo International Stadium on 13 November and away on 17 November.