Hossam El Mandouh, treasurer of Zamalek Club, revealed several important files within the White Castle, foremost among them John Edward's departure, the sports director experiment, the future of the football company, as well as the contract crisis involving Ahmed Sayed Zizo, in addition to the Juan Bezerra file.
Hossam El Mandouh stated in remarks to Al-Nahar TV channel that John Edward delivered very respectable work inside Zamalek Club, affirming that the board of directors' experience aimed at achieving greater independence for the club's football sector.
He clarified: "John Edward was the first to embody the idea of achieving independence for the football sector. There were no personal conflicts between him and me; rather, there were natural differences in viewpoints, which is expected. Edward wished to return the head coach position to a foreign coach, whereas we preferred continuing with Moataz Gamal."
Hossam El Mandouh: We Continue the Sports Director Experiment
The Zamalek treasurer addressed the board's stance on the sports director experiment, saying: "The board of directors is committed to continuing the sports director experiment at Zamalek Club. Several names are candidates for this position, including Hossam El-Zenaty, who currently works at Nordsjælland Club in Denmark."
Hossam El Mandouh confirmed that the file concerning Zamalek's football company has not yet been closed, noting the existence of several investment offers.
He said: "The football company file remains open. I was among those opposed to distributing 60% to investors versus 40% for the club, but this is not the only solution. Even if an investor requests the larger share, we must establish clear conditions governing this partnership while safeguarding the club's rights."
He added: "We already have numerous offers, and several Gulf investors have expressed their desire to invest in Zamalek Club's football company."
Regarding internal board dynamics, El Mandouh affirmed that the board enjoys a high degree of harmony despite some natural differences in viewpoints.
He stated: "The current board is largely cohesive. There are minor differences in viewpoints, but they do not affect the club's decisions. There are no conflicts between myself and Hussein Labib, Hisham Nasr, Hossam El Mandouh, or other board members."
He further added that the board did not request John Edward's departure, clarifying: "We did not ask John Edward to leave; rather, he himself made the decision to vacate his position."
Zizo's Contract Crisis
The Zamalek treasurer discussed the contract crisis surrounding Ahmed Sayed Zizo, pointing out question marks regarding certain figures circulating about the player's agreement.
He said: "When I hear that a player like Zizo initially wanted to agree with Zamalek on receiving 80 million Egyptian pounds, only to find his contract value later reduced to merely 5 million pounds, it is natural that many questions arise."
He added: "Some clubs submit incorrect contracts to the Football Association, and I believe Al-Ahly does so."
Developments in the Bezerra Crisis
Hossam El Mandouh revealed the latest developments in the Juan Bezerra crisis, confirming that the player will return to Zamalek Club within the coming days and that the club has not yet filed a complaint against him with FIFA.
He stated: "Bezerra will return to the club within the next few days. We have not submitted a complaint against him to FIFA because we wish to negotiate with him and resolve the file calmly. We are communicating with him through legal channels, striving to reach an agreement that maximizes benefit for Zamalek Club."
El Mandouh concluded his remarks by saying: "We informed Bezerra of the necessity to return to the club to negotiate with him and determine his future and fate. We are taking necessary measures against all players and others to maintain discipline within the team's locker room, but our only shortcoming is that we do not speak much about these measures."
