Jose believes old guard are key to success
Manuel Jose says Ahly are capable of bridging the gap with Zamalek at the top of the Egyptian Premier League table
Hatem Maher, Saturday 1 Jan 2011
Manuel Jose will rely on Mohamed Abou-Treika to make Ahly bounce back
Manuel Jose believes Ahly still have a chance to usurp arch-rivals Zamalek and win the Egyptian Premier League title.
The Portuguese tactician took over at the Red Devils for a third stint on Saturday, penning a one-and-a-half year deal with Egypt's most successful club.
He is burdened with ending a disappointing run for Ahly that saw them slip to fourth spot in the league table. Six points separate them from leaders Zamalek, who have been living in the shadow of their Cairo neighbors during the past six seasons.
"The six-point difference does not mean that the title race is settled," Jose told Ahly's TV channel after being unveiled as the team's new coach.
"We are still at the halfway mark, there is still a long way to go. We will do our best to win the title, we will never give up.
"If the league teams mark (Zamalek forward) Shikabala well, things will be easier for Ahly in the second part of the season."
Despite being plagued by consistent off-field problems, talented forward Shikabala produced a string of impressive displays to help Zamalek outshine Ahly. He is the league's top scorer with nine goals.
Ahly were deemed an 'ageing team' by many pundits after failing to replicate the sort of displays which enabled them to win the premier domestic competition for six consecutive seasons.
However, Jose played down criticism, insisting that he still trusts the likes of attacking midfielders Mohamed Abou-Treika and Mohamed Barakat, who formed the backbone of a hugely-successful Ahly side.
"I want Abou-Treika and Barakat to ignore the criticism of their age," Jose, who recruited both men during his second spell at the helm, added.
"I will rely on them to instruct and advise the youngsters to help the team return to winning ways."
Career End
Jose said he would end his coaching career at Ahly, the club he guided to five league titles and four Champions League triumphs among other minor accolades during his previous spells.
"I have no problems extending the deal I penned today," the 64-year-old, who returned to Ahly after ending a brief and unsuccessful stint with Saudi giants Ittihad Jeddah, added.
"I managed Angola and Ittihad Jeddah but my heart still remained with Ahly. I had other offers but after Ahly came calling, I had only one choice to make.
"I have already decided to end my career here."
Ahly's fans posted messages of jubilation on internet fan forums following Ahly's announcement and said they were optimistic their team would be able to bring back glory days.
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