Egyptian football giants Zamalek SC have announced the appointment of Portuguese tactician José Peseiro as its new head coach.
The 64-year-old takes the reins from Swiss manager Christian Gross, just a week before the highly anticipated Cairo grand derby against arch-rivals Al Ahly SC.
Peseiro, who has been without a club since leaving his position as Nigeria’s national team coach in March 2024, has signed a one-and-a-half-year contract with the White Knights.
“Happy, honoured to represent Zamalek! And with a lot of ambition,” Peseiro stated upon his unveiling. “The work has already begun and this is where all our focus and dedication lies. Making the fans proud is what we want.”
Peseiro brings a wealth of experience to the role, having managed several clubs in his native Portugal, including Sporting CP, whom he led to the 2005 UEFA Cup final.
He also served as an assistant manager at Real Madrid.
His experience extends to the international stage, having coached the Saudi Arabia national team and, more recently, leading Nigeria to a second-place finish at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.
The timing of Peseiro’s appointment is significant, with the crucial Cairo derby against Al Ahly just around the corner.
This high-stakes match will be an immediate test for the new manager and will give Zamalek fans an early indication of his impact on the team. Peseiro’s experience in high-pressure situations, both at club and international level, will be invaluable as he prepares the team for this crucial encounter.
