SNOW TV NEWS DESK
The Egyptian Football Association (EFA) has parted ways with national team head coach Hossam Hassan and his technical crew following growing controversy surrounding his private life, raising concerns about the image and stability of the national team.
Ali Maher, manager of Egyptian Premier League side Ceramica Cleopatra, has been named as Hassan’s replacement.
In a statement released on Saturday, the EFA said its decision followed a review of recent developments, which it believed had negatively affected the national team’s public image and overall stability. The association stressed that protecting the team’s reputation and maintaining a peaceful working environment remained its top priorities.
The dismissal comes just three days after Egypt’s Supreme Council for Media Regulation reportedly banned Hassan from appearing on media platforms over a dispute involving his former wife, Dina Mostafa, popularly known as Dan Adam.
The controversy reportedly began after Hassan’s legal team filed a complaint accusing his former wife of forging official documents and committing bigamy. However, representatives of Mostafa have denied the allegations.
Beyond the personal controversy, Hassan had also come under pressure over some of his technical decisions, particularly his handling of Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah.
In September, the former Egypt striker attracted criticism after substituting Salah in the 60th minute of a goalless World Cup qualifier against Angola. Salah subsequently left the national team camp, with the EFA explaining that he would miss the next qualifier against South Sudan because of concerns about playing on an artificial pitch. Egypt went on to win the match 5–0.
Former Egyptian international Mido had earlier expressed concern about the situation, describing the growing tension as having “gone out of control” and calling on football authorities to step in.
Hassan, who was appointed in March 2024, leaves behind a mixed but notable record. He guided Egypt to the last 16 of the 2026 World Cup, reportedly the country’s best performance at the tournament, and the semi-finals of the Africa Cup of Nations, where they eventually finished fourth.
His tenure was not without disciplinary problems, as FIFA handed him a three-match suspension following comments criticizing the referee after Egypt’s World Cup knockout defeat to Argentina.
In 38 matches in charge, Hassan recorded 21 victories, 10 draws, and seven defeats.
His departure marks a significant change for Egyptian football, particularly given his history as one of the country’s celebrated former strikers. His successor, 52-year-old Maher, now faces the immediate task of preparing the team for their Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Malawi on November 13 and 17.
While Hassan’s results on the pitch offered some positives, the circumstances surrounding his exit suggest that the EFA believes the team’s image and internal stability must take priority as Egypt looks towards its next competitive challenges.
“Sir Bartholomew White Ebe is a Lagos-based media personality, Music Artist, Producer, and a Relationship Coach and independent journalist. With over seven years of experience tracking political developments and cultural shifts in Nigeria, he specializes in local current affairs, grassroots politics, and community-driven reporting across Lagos State. As the founder and chief editor of Snow Multimedia Connect {SNOW TV}, he leads the editorial team to deliver verified, high-impact stories to digital audiences.”
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