Zamalek Coach Rejects ‘Big Money’ Move To Japan

Zamalek coach Patrice Carteron confirmed that he has turned down an offer to coach an unnamed club in Japan.

According to the coach, he could not take the opportunity since he already had a running contract with Zamalek that he needed to honour to its conclusion.

“I received a big offer from one of the Japanese clubs but I refused it,” Carteron told reporters.

“Despite my contract with Zamalek expiring at the end of the current season, I refused the offer.”

The 49-year-old tactician helped the to snatch the African Super Cup and Egyptian Super Cup titles as well as reach the African Champions League semi-finals.

As such, it appears the former TP Mzembe mentor is drawing plenty of interest from abroad in terms of interest in his services.

“The Japanese offer was very financially attractive, and for two seasons,” he added.

[perfectpullquote align=”full” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””] “I refused the offer because I can’t leave Zamalek during the current situation, as the team is preparing for the CAF Champions League semi-finals.”   [/perfectpullquote]

Zamalek, who are the holders of the Confederation Cup, hired Carteron in last December replacing Milutin Sredojevic.

The Frenchman is one of the most respected coaches in Africa, having also coached Raja Casablanca and had a previous stint in Egypt leading Wadi Degla.

In his stint as coach of Mali national team, Carteron steered the Eagles to third place at the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations in South Africa‚ beating Bafana Bafana in the semi-finals.

He led Mazembe to three Democratic Republic of Congo league titles‚ three African Super Cups‚ and one Champions League title.

Carteron also steered Al Ahly to the 2018 Champions League final‚ where they lost 4-3 on aggregate to Esperance de Tunis.