Zamalek have announced early on Tuesday the appointment of Swiss manager Christian Gross as the White Castle’s head coach starting next season.
Following months of rumors and speculations, it has been announced on Zamalek’s official website that the 63-year-old agreed on signing a contract to become the new Zamalek coach and will be at the helm of the squad at their camp in Germany.
Zamalek had announced appointing Gross as the club’s manager in April before going back on their decision few days later. Gross, who succeeds current manager Khaled Galal, will have four assistants at the White Castle; a general manager, a performance analyst, a goalkeeping coach and a fitness trainer.
Mansour announced that chairman of Saudi’s General Authority of Sport Turki Al-Sheikh has provided the club with financial support to help them land the new coach.
El-Sheikh – the former honorary president of Zamalek’s archrivals Al Ahly – has recently acquired Egyptian Premier League side Assiouty Sport and renamed it Pyramids FC. Since then, the club have made a number of signings and appointed Brazilian coach Alberto Valentim at the helm of the team,.
The Swiss mastermind enjoyed two successful long spells at his home country, winning two Swiss Super Leagues with Grasshopper and four with FC Basel. He won four Swiss Cups [Three with FC Basel and one with Grasshopper].
He also had short stints in the English Premier League and the Bundesliga with Tottenham Hotspur and VfB Stuttgart.
His last coaching job was with Saudi giants Al Ahli, where he successfully secured the Saudi Professional League, the Saudi Crown Prince Cup and the King Cup.
The White Knights have managed to win the Egypt Cup last season and will be hoping their new coach will help them compete for the Egyptian Premier League next season.
King Fut