Zamalek part ways with coach Helmi, Alain Giresse the favourite candidate: Mansour

Zamalek has officially parted ways with coach Mohamed Helmi upon his request, club president Mortada Mansour revealed early Saturday, insisting that French tactician Alain Giresse is in line to take charge.

"Helmi played his role with Zamalek, but he wants to leave," Mansour told LTC TV Channel.

"The experience of depending on an Egyptian coach isn't a successful one as the players only respect the foreign ones.

"I am not happy with the performance, and neither are club supporters. Zamalek have the best players in Egypt," he added.

On 30 November, Zamalek reappointed the 54-year-old Helmi as head coach after sacking interim coach Mohamed Salah.

Despite guiding the team to clinching the Super Cup title from rivals Ahly in February, Helmi was continuously under fire after a series of shaky performances.

On many occasions, Mansour expressed displeasure over the team's poor performance under the guidance of Helmi stressing that hiring a foreign coach could save the situation.

"French coach Alain Giresse (current coach of Mali) is the favourite candidate to take charge," Mansour explained.

"The club's technical committee is choosing between five nominees and Giresse is the closest one," he added.

Board member Ahmed Mortada revealed Saturday that Augusto Inácio and Ricardo Sa Pinto of Portugal are also prominent candidates, but priority goes to Giresse.

Zamalek currently lie third on the Egyptian Premier League table with 40 points, 12 behind leaders Ahly, who have played one more match

Source: Ahram online