Egypt have announced that Javier Aguirre is to be their new coach taking over from Hector Cuper.
The Mexican was the favorite to replace the Argentine and has signed a four-year, $1.4 million contract, taking him to the next World Cup.
Aguirre was on a shortlist of four which included Spaniard Quique Sanchez Flores, Colombian Jorge Luis Pinto, and Bosnian Vahid Halilhodzic.
It is thought that his Middle Eastern experience — he was last at the helm of the UAE’s Al-Wahda — was the crucial factor in his appointment.
Flores lacked national team experience and Pinto has never coached outside South or Central America. Also in the 59-year-old’s favor was that Halilhodzic was in demand elsewhere. South Korea are interested in the coach sacked by Japan in April, as are his former team Algeria.
“Aguirre ticks all the boxes with the experience and success he has had and also the way his teams usually play football,” an official at the Egyptian Football Association told Arab News earlier this week.
After the Pharaohs’ World Cup woe — they lost all three matches in Russia — the pressure is on Aguirre to justify his big pay packet. His first task is to qualify for the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations, and then lead the side deep into the tournament.
On top of that he will be tasked with improving the style of play. There was a lot of criticism of Cuper’s tactics, which were seen as overly cautious and defensive. As result the EFA was keen to have not only a new face but also a fresh approach.
Egypt announce Javier Aguirre as their new boss
Egypt announce Javier Aguirre as their new boss
- Mexican replaces Hector Cuper after the Pharaohs' World Cup woe
- Aguirre has managed Mexico and Japan as well as Atletico Madrid
Liverpool on the up as new signings hit form, says Slot
- Hopes of retaining the Premier League title were high at the start of the season after Liverpool splashed out nearly $605 million on new signings
- But bar some bright moments from Hugo Ekitike, the new faces struggled in the opening months of the season
LIVERPOOL: Liverpool boss Arne Slot believes the Reds will only get better in the years to come as a huge outlay on young talent in the transfer market begins to bear fruit.
Hopes of retaining the Premier League title were high at the start of the season after Liverpool splashed out nearly £450 million ($605 million) on new signings.
But bar some bright moments from Hugo Ekitike, the new faces struggled in the opening months of the season.
Alexander Isak has been beset by injuries since his British transfer record £125 million move from Newcastle and will miss most of the rest of the campaign with a broken leg.
But Florian Wirtz, Milos Kerkez and Jeremie Frimpong have recently hit the form that saw them earn a move to Anfield during a 13-game unbeaten run for Slot’s men.
“If you look at the age of the signings, they will be better next season and the season after,” Slot said at his pre-match press conference ahead of Saturday’s trip to Bournemouth.
“We’ve spoken about Florian that he lacked goals and assists in the beginning but he was so close and even now he could almost double it with the chances he’s having or giving to his teammates.
“I can only see positives in this team in terms of progress but we have to adapt so many times in the season.
“We are already in a good place but this club will be a good place tomorrow and the day after and the day after.”
Liverpool’s chances of retaining the title are long gone with a 14-point gap to leaders Arsenal and their target switching to securing Champions League football next season.
Slot’s side sit fourth but only six points separate them from Brighton in 12th.
Liverpool also took a giant stride toward the Champions League last 16 with a 3-0 win at Marseille on Wednesday.
But the Dutchman does not expect to add to his squad in what remains of the January transfer window.
“That’s what I expect, yes,” he added on the prospect of no new signings this month.
“But as I always say, if there’s an opportunity in the market or we think we can strengthen, this club will try to do so, but at this moment in time I expect it to stay mainly the same.”
