Former Egypt Coach Hossam Hassan Emerges as Target for Mamelodi Sundowns

Former Egypt national team head coach Hossam Hassan has reportedly attracted interest from South African club Mamelodi Sundowns following his departure from the Pharaohs. The South African powerhouse has offered Hassan the opportunity to take charge of the technical setup as the club looks toward its next phase under new leadership.

The approach from Sundowns comes less than 24 hours after the team suffered a 3-1 defeat against USM Alger in the final of the African Super Cup. The continental loss, combined with an early exit from the CAF Champions League, has intensified pressure on current head coach Miguel Cardoso. Although Sundowns officials reportedly held an emergency meeting to evaluate Cardoso's position, the outreach to Hassan indicates the club is exploring potential alternatives.

According to reports from media outlets, a Moroccan marketing company presented the initial proposal to Ibrahim Hassan, Hossam's twin brother and coaching associate. Sources close to the situation state that the 60-year-old manager has welcomed the interest but has chosen to delay a final decision as he weighs multiple opportunities. While Hassan is open to managing a club team, his primary preference is to take charge of another national team.

In addition to the Sundowns offer, Hassan has reportedly received informal and verbal inquiries regarding potential national team positions in the Middle East, including unofficial interest concerning the Jordan and Iraq national team jobs. Neither of the national team inquiries has materialized into a formal offer yet, leaving the South African club proposal among his prominent options.

Hassan's availability follows his departure from the Egyptian national team, which was confirmed by the Egyptian Football Association. Despite guiding Egypt to a historic appearance in the knockout stages of the 2026 FIFA World Cup—where the Pharaohs reached the round of 16 before falling to Argentina 3-2—the association decided to end his tenure and appointed Ali Maher as his successor.

The coaching change occurred in the wake of domestic controversies surrounding Hassan's private life. According to reports from regional media, the Egyptian Football Association evaluated recent personal events involving the coach, concluding that the controversies had a negative impact on the image and stability of the national squad. Prior to his dismissal, the Supreme Council for Media Regulation in Egypt had also restricted his appearances in the media.

During his 38 matches in charge of the Egyptian national team, Hassan posted a strong record of 21 victories, 10 draws, and 7 defeats. A potential move to Mamelodi Sundowns would mark his first managerial role outside of his home country, though neither Sundowns nor Hassan has issued official confirmation regarding a finalized agreement.