Genk coach Jess Thorup spoke about his previous experience with Al Ahly, the club with a huge fan base.
Genk club announced the appointment of Jess Thorup as the new coach of the team with a contract extending until 2029.
Thorup said via the Belgian newspaper Nieuwsblad: "I was in Egypt with Al Ahly, which has 80 million fans".
He added: "I made a quick decision to return to Genk and sign a three-year contract, because I still aspire to achieve more here".
He stressed: "Of course I always prefer winning over losing, but the preparation period gives you the clearest picture when you face strong opponents. The players realized that there is a lot of work to be done, and no one will enter the season feeling satisfied".
He added: "We will play two matches, and I want every player to get enough minutes. There is no first team and another substitute team; rather, we try to test some things and build understandings between the players".
The Danish coach stressed: "I don't like players who think they have secured their place; everyone must always fight".
Thorup concluded his statements by outlining his goals for the season: "We want to qualify for Europe. This is a club that must always be present on the European stage".
Thorup succeeds coach Nicky Hayen, returning to lead the team again after a previous stint during the 2020-2021 season.
Thorup has previously coached several clubs, most notably Augsburg, and won the Danish league titles with Midtjylland and Copenhagen.
He also won the Egyptian Super Cup last season with Al Ahly.
Thorup led Al Ahly in 36 matches across various competitions, winning 18, drawing 9, and losing 9.
The Dane won the Egyptian Super Cup against Zamalek, while exiting the Egypt Cup in the round of 32 and the CAF Champions League in the quarter-finals.
Al Ahly finished third in the league table with 53 points, compared to 54 for Pyramids and 56 for Zamalek at the end of the season.
