Lead:
Ali Maher took charge of Egypt's national football team this week following Hossam Hassan's dismissal. Sports analysts and commentators have begun staking sharply different positions on how the new technical director should be assessed and supported during his opening fixtures against Malawi.
Voices & Positions:
In Elbalad, Fathy Sanad argues that Ali Maher is fortunate to inherit the role at this moment, because his first tests—two matches against Malawi—are winnable encounters that allow him to establish momentum and win player and fan confidence without facing severe early obstacles. Sanad contends the timing and opponent selection work in Maher's favor.
In Elbalad, Muhammad Barakat defends Ali Maher against premature criticism, stating that Maher should not be held accountable for every detail simply because he is now close to leading the Pharaohs, and that he deserves space to establish himself without pre-emptive attacks.
In Sada, Ahmad Dowidar argues that Ahmed Hassan (known as "The Falcon") and Essam El-Hadary, despite their legendary status, should not be imposed on Maher's coaching staff. Dowidar insists the technical director has the right to assemble an assistant team according to his own vision and comfort, without external pressure to retain iconic former players.
In Elbalad, Yasser Rayan predicts that Mohamed Salah will retain his place in the starting lineup even if his form dips, because Salah's global profile and centrality to Egypt's image make him untouchable to the coaching staff.
In Elbalad, Tamer Begato calls for unified support behind Ali Maher, framing the coach's success as dependent on institutional backing from the Football Association during the transition.
Tension & Convergence:
The columnists unite in recognizing that Ali Maher faces a difficult assignment but converge on the need to grant him operational latitude—particularly regarding staff selection and starting XI decisions. However, they diverge sharply on whether critical scrutiny should be withheld entirely (Barakat's position) or whether Maher benefits from realistic expectations and tactical support (Sanad's analysis). Rayan's prediction that Salah will be protected regardless of form introduces a separate tension: whether merit-based selection is possible under the weight of global commercial and reputational pressures.
Editorial Takeaway:
The dominant voice today is that Ali Maher deserves institutional backing and freedom from predetermined judgment, though columnists remain divided on whether this freedom should shield him from all accountability or simply from unfair early criticism.