Swiss Newspaper Asks: Could Urs Fischer Become Al Ahly’s New Coach?

The well-known Swiss newspaper "Blick" has raised the question of whether the renowned Swiss coach Urs Fischer could take over as Al Ahly’s new manager, replacing Spaniard José Ribeiro. The decision to dismiss Ribeiro was made by mutual agreement due to poor results in the Egyptian Premier League. The reigning champions have only managed to secure 5 points from 4 matches, dropping them to 13th place in the league table.

Following in the Footsteps of Weiler and Koller

The newspaper suggested that Fischer might be following in the footsteps of other successful Swiss coaches who have left their mark on Al Ahly’s history. Before the golden era of Marcel Koller, who led the team to numerous titles, René Weiler coached Al Ahly for 14 months, winning the league and the Super Cup. "Blick" believes that this successful history of Swiss coaches at the club could strengthen Fischer's chances of taking on the role.

"Blick" added that rumors are circulating that Fischer, 59, is close to signing with Al Ahly. It also pointed out that the immense fan base of the club, estimated at 60 to 80 million supporters, places tremendous pressure and expectations on any coach who takes the helm.

Fischer Unemployed Since Leaving Union Berlin

Since his departure from Union Berlin in November 2023 after a tenure of more than five years and 224 matches, Urs Fischer has not taken on any new coaching job. In a previous interview with "Blick" in July, Fischer kept the door open for a return, stating, "Let's wait. There is no timeline for me. It's all about the feeling and how I feel about coming back. It doesn't depend on the place; anything is possible. It requires connections, conversations." These remarks might indicate that Fischer is open to a potential offer from Al Ahly, especially given the factors mentioned by the Swiss newspaper.