Ibrahim Fayek: Mohamed Salah did not cause Hossam Hassan’s departure from Egypt national team

Broadcaster Ibrahim Fayek said Mohamed Salah was not responsible for Hossam Hassan’s departure as Egypt national team coach, explaining that talk of the national team captain controlling Football Association decisions does not align with what happened, according to his account.

Fayek explained that Hossam Hassan took charge of the national team despite previous remarks he had made about Salah, and that a meeting between the two at the start of his tenure ended without any publicly reported dispute. He added that Salah praised Hassan’s training camp during his participation in the World Cup, describing it at his last press conference as the best camp he had attended with the national team, while Hassan had praised Salah on several occasions.

Fayek cited signs of their relationship, including Salah celebrating Hassan’s birthday and bringing him a cake during the previous camp. He said Hassan had disputes with several players, including Mohamed El Shenawy and Mohamed Abdelmonem, as well as disagreements with the Football Association and other matters outside football.

According to Fayek, Football Association president Hany Abu Rida visited Salah in Turkey after his disagreement with Hassan, when the player had not wanted to join the November camp while the coach remained in his position. Fayek ruled out the visit being connected to a prior decision to dismiss Hassan, asking what the point would have been of trying to persuade Salah to join the camp if the decision had already been made.

Regarding a photo Salah posted after Hassan’s departure, Fayek said its timing allowed for different interpretations: some might see it as celebrating his team’s victory, while others might link it to happiness at the coach’s departure. He added that he was not speaking about the player’s intentions, but felt Salah should have considered the possible reactions to the photo.