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Al Ahly’s cup match against second division Tersana on Wednesday night (2-1) is René Weiler’s farewell performance in Egypt. Weiler is making use of his release clause and is already sitting on the plane on his way home on October 1. Together with his two assistants David Sesa and Thomas Binggeli.
It is the abrupt end of a sports fairy tale like 1001 Nights. Simply no happy ending. With the traditional club, which has more than 20 million fans, Weiler has already become Egypt’s sovereign champion with just one loss this season with six rounds to go. He is also in the semi-finals of the African Champions League. In sporting terms, things are going very well, Weiler is adored by the fans in Cairo.
Weiler refused to extend the contract
And yet the pressure has become enormous in recent weeks. Background: Weiler was isolated and separated from his family in Cairo for a long time during the confinement. After a home leave, he negotiated an exit clause on October 1, 2020 for the contract that would run until the summer of 2021, especially in light of the uncertain development of the corona pandemic.
The closer this date got, the more nervous Al Ahly’s club bosses became. Because they felt that they were escaping from the grip and the pressure from the fans was enormous. And such a situation does not correspond to the pride of the Egyptian bosses, who want to decide for themselves when changing coaches (and there was more in Al Ahly than with Christian Constantin in Sion).
There were also greed from other major Egyptian clubs. For example, rival Zamalek is also looking for a new coach. And Al Ahly’s bosses were increasingly concerned that Weiler might retreat to Europe after all. Also because he rejected a contract extension at Al Ahly beyond 2021.
Club bosses want to save face
An explosive constellation. In recent days, fairy tales and accusations of lies against Weiler have circulated from the top of the club to discredit the coach among the fans. In order not to lose face in the event of the dreaded departure of the successful coach. They wanted to get ahead of him with the resignation, also somewhat wounded with pride, and the club has also given the prospect of saying goodbye. Even if the season is not over yet and the semi-finals of the African Champions League against Casablanca are looking forward to in Cairo.
This will take place without the successful coach Weiler. Draw the tear line and it comes out. In the increasingly heated and hot-blooded environment, she is now simply happy to sit on the plane heading home. Despite the turbulent ending, a richer great experience.
René Weiler’s successor is already known. Already on Thursday, the day Weiler gets on the plane and flies home, Al Ahly wants to introduce Pitso Mosimane as the new head coach. The 56-year-old South African last worked for South Africa’s Mamelodi Sundowns and recently terminated his contract there. Last year in March, Weiler and Al Ahly kicked the sunsets in the quarterfinals of the Champions League.
