Al Ahly: Weiler will renew his contract

Al Ahly board member, Khaled Mortagy, confirmed that Swiss manager Rene Weiler has accepted the terms of his new contract and that he will soon renew it.

Weiler became an instant fan favorite among Al Ahly supporters and was even compared to legendary manager Manuel Jose.

The 46-year-old led the Reds to the top of the league table without a single defeat, reached the Egypt Cup round of 16 and qualified for the CAF Champions League semi-finals.

The Swiss’ contract was set to end by the end of the current season but Khaled Mortagy confirmed that they’ve reached an agreement with him and are only waiting for him to sign the contract.

“We reached an agreement with Weiler to renew his contract for another two years and we didn’t approach any other coach. Amir Tawfik, the Director of Marketing, and I handled the negotiations after Weiler expressed his desire to remain at Al Ahly,” Mortagy told Al Ahly’s official website.

“We had three videoconference meetings with Weiler and his agent during three days. We finally reached an agreement regarding all the financial and administrative matters. Which were approved by El-Khatib.

“There weren’t any issues as both sides wanted the same thing. The club wants to keep Weiler because he’s an excellent coach and is on the right track and we’re convinced that he has the right personality for Al Ahly.

“In the meantime, Weiler was open to renew his contract as he feels comfortable with Al Ahly’s organization as he’s been treated with respect and professionalism and he wants to continue his successful journey.

“Weiler asked to sign the contract after talking to his family face to face, who he hasn’t seen in the past months due to the coronavirus pandemic.

“Amir Tawfik and I called him several times before he travelled and the conversations were very positive. El-Khatib even sat with him three time to discuss his future plans.

“I have complete trust in him, especially that he told during our meetings that he had received offers from many clubs all over the world. But assured me that he’s happy here and wants to continue his mission.

“I’m surprised by the rumors that suggest that we’ve been negotiating with a new manager. How would we do so if we already agreed on renewing with Weiler for another two years,” he concluded.

All sports activities have been suspended in Egypt since mid-March due to the worldwide coronavirus outbreak, which infected over 38,000 Egyptians.

And despite the country’s Prime Minister, Mostafa Madbouly, announcement that clubs would resume training by mid-June, Sports and Youth Minister Ashraf Sobhi said that he expects the league to return in August.