Helmy Toulan: Hossam El Badry is the best fit for Egypt if Hossam Hassan leaves; Omar Gaber deserves a call-up

Helmy Toulan said Hossam El Badry is the best choice to coach Egypt if Hossam Hassan leaves. He also said Omar Gaber deserves a place in the national team, while expressing reservations about selecting Imam Ashour because he does not play regularly for Al Ahly.

Speaking on television, Toulan said the circumstances surrounding the coaching staff raised questions ahead of the Malawi match, and that he would have offered excuses if he were part of the staff. He said the national team could not afford another coaching experiment, calling for the appointment of a coach with experience and a strong record. He pointed to El Badry’s experience and results with Al Ahly Tripoli.

He added that Mohamed Salah could play a leadership role on the pitch but, in his view, was not suited to taking charge of coaching the team. He stressed that a player’s involvement with his club and strong performances should be the criteria for selection, citing Omar Gaber, whose level this season he described as good and whose appearances had been regular.

On the subject of the football company, Toulan said he was not opposed to the idea in principle, but questioned which body would establish and run the company. He said the state should have a role in the matter, and said he would prefer the club to retain the majority stake rather than investors.