Hossam Hassan, the technical director of the Egyptian national team, confirmed that he was keen to show his support for the Palestinian people after seeing their happiness with the Pharaohs' results in the World Cup, pointing out that he succeeded in changing Mohamed Salah's position, and clarifying his opinion on the possibility of Mustafa Shobier, the goalkeeper of Al-Ahly Club and the national team, turning professional.
Hossam Hassan, the coach of the Egyptian national team, said via On Sport channel: "I was watching our Palestinian brothers cheering for the Egyptian national team, sitting among the rubble watching the matches and holding the Egyptian flag, this caught my attention greatly, and I had to give them their due".
He added: "This is a humanitarian matter, I am surprised by their morale and support for us, I was affected by that, people in America and Europe do not feel for them at all, years and generations were lost from us because we were living in fear that we could not reach the European levels that we watch".
He continued: "Captain Hassan Shehata's message was an honor to me, I represent the Egyptian coaches in the league, and I also welcome any foreign or Arab coach, but local clubs must give more opportunities to national coaches, and they can lead big clubs, the success of the national coach must be invested in".
He explained: "I am not against the foreign coach, if he will benefit the coaches and Egyptian football then welcome, and the only coach who benefited Egyptian football is Veytsa, the rest tried but not to the extent we wanted, the national coach is important but do not choose him on the basis of courtesy, the national coach should not be underestimated especially the big clubs that have Egyptian cadres, and the best for Al-Ahly and Zamalek is the national coach".
He continued: "I wished to include Islam Issa and Mohamed Hamdy in the World Cup squad, but injury circumstances prevented that, and there are names like Oktay Abdullah, and another player I followed at Ghazl El Mahalla, and I was watching players from the professional league from several teams like Abu Qir Fertilizers".
In response to a question about Mustafa Shobier, the goalkeeper of Al-Ahly Club, and whether it is better for him to turn professional or continue with his club, he replied: "I used to say that turning professional in general is a good thing for any player, and any team will benefit financially, but this is the player's and the club's decision, and Mustafa has a balanced personality and his level will develop even if he continues his career with Al-Ahly as it is a big club".
He added: "There is a large group of players capable of turning professional abroad, and it will be a positive decision, we are the national team that relied the least on professionals, and we have our own preparations, but this will benefit them and benefit the reputation of Egyptian football".
Regarding the development of Mohamed Salah's level with the Egyptian national team, he commented: "When Salah faces a crisis at his club he returns stronger through the national team, whether during Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers or World Cup qualifiers".
He pointed out: "During the Africa Cup of Nations period he had a crisis with his club, and Omar Marmoush was also about to leave on loan from his team, and no coach in Europe thought of developing Salah by changing his position like I did".
He continued: "I gave Salah solutions in his new position thanks to the collective form of the national team, Salah will give options to any team inside or outside Europe that he will join, by changing his position from the winger who cannot defend, to another place through which he can renew his presence among the big clubs".
He concluded: "Omar Marmoush is in the formation stage, I do not want him to waste a lot of time, he will be better than that with diligence, and Haitham Hassan also benefited from participating with us, after his club's relegation, and now eyes are focused on him and he will be in a good place".
