Portuguese Coach of Egypt’s Zamalek football team August Inacio expressed his frustration for his departure from the team, saying that it made him proud to lead the Egyptian team during the latest months. He stressed that he exerted his efforts to achieve positive progress, saying that he managed to achieve a breakthrough in the performance of the players.
He denies what was published over his demands to sign contracts with a large number of new players, saying that he asked the team’s chairperson Mortada Mansour to contract with only two players, including Kasongo of Itihad and Ibrahim Hassan from Ismaily.
He added that he did not ask the board to sign contract with Dawooda or Mohamed Al Shami, saying that they joined the team upon request from Tariq Yahia. He stressed that he did not express protest against the appointment of Yahia in the coaching staff.
He blamed the team’s board for the decision to abandon the Egyptian footballer Mahmoud Abdel Raziq, denying what was promoted by Chairperson of Zamalek Mortada Mansour that he asked for his departure.
He added, in a press conference, that he did not attack the team’s fitness coach, saying that he does not adopt such approach in dealing with his assistants.
Regarding the latest match, He said that the players missed over six opportunities during the last match against Aswan, saying that he will focus to improve the scoring skills of his players during the coming period. He said that he took the responsibility of the team during a critical period of time, saying that the players were not prepared on fitness or mental levels. He added that he was keen to support the players for performing well to ensure their place in the team.
He added, in a statement to “Egypt Today”, that the team has a large number of good players during the current period, saying that the team is on the right way to restore its position in the Egyptian and continental competition. He stressed that the recent wins do not provide evidence that the team reached to its level, as they should resume the positive results during the coming period.
He stressed that if any Portuguese coach received an offer to lead Zamalek, he would warn him of the challenges he faces during working with this team. He expressed his hope that the Egyptian team will win the Egyptian Cup saying that he turned from a coach into one of its fans.