Hossam Ghaly, a former board member of Al-Ahly Club, discussed the controversy surrounding statements made by Hossam Hassan, head coach of the Egyptian national team, regarding Mohamed El-Shenawy, Al-Ahly's goalkeeper.
Ghaly said on On Sport channel: "I saw myself more suited to the position of an Al-Ahly board member, and I felt I could contribute more because I know Al-Ahly inside out, including its strengths and weaknesses. However, circumstances didn't help, or perhaps 'the chemistry wasn't right'."
He continued: "Talents have significantly decreased, and some individuals have inflated the transfer market. Now, whenever Al-Ahly enters negotiations for any player, the other club demands excessively high fees."
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He added: "Pyramids FC's entry into the Egyptian transfer market contributed to rising prices, but current figures are exaggerated compared to the actual performance delivered."
He continued: "Hossam Hassan made a mistake using the word 'finished' regarding El-Shenawy, but I'm certain he didn't mean it literally; he simply 'doesn't choose his words well'."
He further stated: "What saddened me and made me view the sports scene in Egypt as strange was how the crisis involving Salah and his absence was handled. No one considered discussing the matter from a technical perspective; instead, everyone settled personal scores with Hossam Hassan."
He pointed out: "Everyone who had been holding back their feelings toward Hossam Hassan since before the World Cup has now come out to attack him, as if they want to get rid of him, surrounding him from all sides."
He continued: "His achievements during the World Cup did not save him (they made him a sandwich). He united Egyptians around the national team and restored spirit to the squad, yet all that was forgotten immediately because of one misplaced remark. Although the comment was inappropriate, I do hold Hossam Hassan accountable for it."
He added: "Substituting Salah during the match against Angola was unjustified. Hossam Hassan was not successful in his decisions during that game, and Salah should not have been taken off at that moment."
He said: "I feel sorry for Hossam Hassan because he is facing tremendous pressure and a massive campaign against him. Some people are settling personal scores, and it's clear he is no longer wanted. There are those who will try to corner him in the coming period."
He advised: "My advice to him is to handle press interviews intelligently, leaving no room for anyone to catch him off guard and open multiple fronts simultaneously. I truly love Captain Hossam; I've loved him since our days together at Al-Ahly."
He continued: "I enjoyed football in England and felt then that I was truly a professional footballer. If time could turn back, I would never return from my professional journey abroad."
He noted: "I could have reached the status Mohamed Salah achieved when I was at Tottenham. My agent once called me saying Manchester United was monitoring me. So why couldn't I reach what Salah has achieved?"
He clarified: "The coach who benefited me most is Manuel José, though he is also the coach I disagreed and argued with the most. Mohamed Shawky is the best midfielder I ever played alongside, while Hossam Ashour and Ahmed Fathi always put me at ease."
Addressing former Egypt national team coaches Héctor Cúper and Hassan Shehata, he said: "May God forgive you, Cúper. As for Hassan Shehata, he deprived me of matches and tournaments I could have participated in due to a misunderstanding between us. Nevertheless, I love him dearly; he is a genuine man."
He concluded: "My disagreement with Hassan Shehata began because he gave me options. In 2008, I received two offers and asked his opinion. I told him I preferred playing for Derby County because I'd get more playing time. He replied, 'Whatever you want.' Afterwards, I chose Derby County, and shortly after, he excluded me from Egypt's squad for the Confederations Cup."
