Portuguese manager Ricardo Soares says he is honored to have been appointed as the new Al Ahly head coach.
The 47-year-old has signed a two-year deal with the record African champions and replaces Pitso Mosimane who parted way with the club in May on mutual consent.
Soares was previously in-charge of Portuguese football team Gil Vicente, a club that he guided to fifth place and a European debut in the UEFA Europa Conference League.
“I am very happy to be here to represent the biggest club in Africa and one of the best clubs in the world,” he said in a press conference on Thursday.
“I know the responsibilities that come with coaching a team like Al Ahly. I am honoured by the trust of the board in myself and my coaching staff. We will work with big ambitions and discipline to make our fans proud.”
Soares will be assisted by Sami Komsan, who took charge after Mosimane’s departure, helped the team qualify for the 2020/21 Egypt Cup semis.
“We will work together as one big family to achieve success and make the fans happy. We are all here to serve the interests of the club and the huge fan base who always provide full support to the team,” he added.
“I spoke with one of the icons of the club to hear advice from him. Mr. Manuel Jose gave me great advice and he encouraged me to come to Al Ahly. I appreciate his advice and the knowledge he gave me will help me in my mission.
“In order to play well, we have to constantly train well. Step by step, we will need to have a good character to make sure that we keep winning.
“Ever since starting negotiating with Al Ahly, I started analyzing the team’s matches along with my assistants.”
Ahly are third in the Egyptian Premier League table with 44 points after playing 20 games so far this season, with three games in hand.
