The curtain has fallen on the experience of John Edward, the sports director of Zamalek Club, after submitting his resignation in the past hours, with the board of directors headed by Hussein Labib approving his departure, ending a period that saw the league title won but concluded with administrative and technical disputes.
Zamalek announced in an official statement yesterday, Tuesday, the acceptance of John Edward's resignation as sports director of Zamalek Club, while expressing thanks for the period he spent inside the White Castle.
There are three main reasons behind John Edward's decision to submit his resignation and leave the position of sports director at Zamalek Club.
Dispute over the technical director
The sports director's departure was not surprising, as the resignation came after ongoing disagreements with the board of directors, most notably regarding the technical director file.
John Edward insisted on signing a foreign coach, the Serbian Vuk Razović, while the board preferred the continuation of Moataz Jamal, especially given the limited time before the season starts and Hussein Labib's lack of conviction in the foreign coach nominated by the sports director, particularly amid the club's financial crisis.
Football company crisis
The disputes extended to the football company project after John Edward called for its swift establishment and presented an offer from an investor, but Hussein Labib rejected it due to the low financial return and preferred to study other offers, widening the rift between the two sides.
The football company crisis is considered the main reason behind John Edward's departure from his position at Zamalek Club.
Delayed preparation period
The financial crisis also contributed to heightened tension after the delayed start of the preparation period and the failure to provide the team's needs, prompting John Edward to demand swift fulfillment of the administration's commitments, warning of its impact on preparations for the new season, as well as in an official letter submitted to the club administration.
Meeting between Labib and Edward
In the final hours before the sports director's departure, Hussein Labib held a meeting with John Edward in an attempt to contain the crisis, but it ended without agreement, leading the sports director to announce his decision to leave, with the board approving his resignation.
Moataz Jamal as team technical director
Following John Edward's departure, Zamalek decided to retain Moataz Jamal as technical director, with the preparation period set to begin next Friday, while board member Hussein El-Sayed will temporarily supervise the football team until a new sports director is appointed.
