Departing Shehata, Jose shower each other with praise

Zamalek manager Hassan Shehata hailed Portuguese coach of rival team Ahly Manuel Jose Da Silva during his interview with Ahly TV channel Monday. “Jose is a great manager and he made a great impact not only on Ahly but on Egyptian football as a whole,” the 62-year old Shehata said through phone to the Reds' now former-coach. Jose who led Ahly to 20 titles including four CAF Champions League trophies during his three spells as coach, announced this weekend that he will not extend his stay. “Jose prepared a generation of great footballers that helped Egypt to win a series of trophies,” added Shehata former Egyptian National team coach who led them to three-successive African Cup of Nations trophies. The 66-year-old Jose reciprocated the praise, decribing Shehata as “a humble person who prefers not to talk about himself in spite of his great accomplishments.” “Shehata presented football never played before in Africa. He is great in dealing with the players making them enthusiastic and thirsty for championships,” Jose added. While Shehata's future with the Whites remains in doubt, Ahly has hired Jose’s former assistant Hossam El-Badry as his replacement. from ahramonline