Al Ahly has officially announced the appointment of Danish coach Jess Thorup as the head coach of their senior football team, putting pen to paper on a deal that runs for two and a half years. The 55-year-old brings with him a wealth of experience from across Europe and arrives amid high hopes that he can steer the Egyptian giants back to consistent domestic and continental dominance.
Following the departure of José Riveiro, whose tenure failed to meet the stringent expectations at Al Ahly, the club moved swiftly to secure a proven replacement. Emad El Nahhas had been serving as interim manager, stabilising some turbulence in the squad and helping the club close in on their rivals in the Egyptian Premier League standings.
Thorup is expected to arrive in Cairo on Thursday, accompanied by backroom staff including two assistant coaches, a fitness trainer, a goalkeeping coach, and a technical analyst. His first official day in charge is scheduled for Friday.
Thorup’s résumé speaks strongly for itself. He has managed FC Copenhagen, Genk, Gent, and Denmark’s Under-21 national side. Among his achievements are winning the Danish Superliga with FC Midtjylland in the 2017-18 season, and again with Copenhagen during the 2021-22 campaign.
He also led Denmark’s U-21s to the semi-finals of the UEFA European Championship and into Olympic qualification — milestones that highlighted not only his tactical acumen but also his ability to nurture young talent.
Al Ahly’s announcement, made after a meeting among President Mahmoud El-Khatib, the Planning Committee, and the Sporting Director, framed Thorup’s hiring as part of a wider strategic vision. The club is keen to strengthen its competitive edge across all fronts, particularly in continental competitions.
As he begins work in Cairo, Thorup inherits a squad with high expectations and a rich history. Al Ahly are Africa’s most decorated club, holding a record number of league titles and trophies, and their fanbase demands nothing less than success.
The domestic campaign has already shown signs of turbulence under the former coach, with mixed results that fell short of the standards set by the club. Under interim management, Al Ahly had begun to regain their footing, and the arrival of Thorup is expected to inject renewed direction and energy into the team.
In reaction to the appointment, club officials expressed confidence that Thorup has the character, technical ability, and leadership to deliver on Al Ahly’s ambitions. “We believe Jess Thorup is a coach of high calibre, with experience both in developing players and delivering results at the highest levels,” one statement from the club read.
Thorup’s appointment marks a decisive moment for Al Ahly. The club appears to be investing not just in short-term success but in a coaching project meant to endure. His track record in developing young players could also prove vital as Al Ahly looks to integrate its academy prospects more effectively into the senior team.
The club’s leadership believes that a modern, structured approach to management can help maintain its position at the top of African football amid growing competition from clubs across the continent.