Egyptian all-time top scorer, Hossam Hassan has been appointed the new coach of the country’s national football team. In a brief statement, the Egyptian Football Association (EFA) made the announcement, revealing the appointment of Hassan’s twin brother as Egpyt’s team director.

Hassan replaced Vitoria, who was fired on Sunday after the Pharaohs lost the Africa Cup of Nations in the round of sixteen, even though the EFA had earlier stated that they were exploring foreign applicants for the position.

Hassan has repeatedly expressed his willingness to accept the position and lamented that, despite his qualifications, he was frequently passed over for the position. His fierce temper and history of disciplinary issues have been mentioned by critics as the reason he was not hired in the past.

In 2016, when he was in charge of Al Masry, he was momentarily placed under arrest after chasing and assaulting a photographer following the conclusion of a local league match. He was most recently penalized for tampering with the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) monitor in early 2023, during a league game.

Despite not winning any titles during his management tenures, Hassan was frequently recognized with making underdog teams perform better than expected. Several months after hanging up his boots in 2008, he started his coaching career and has since led a few Egyptian clubs, including Cairo giants Zamalek.

During his illustrious playing career, the 57-year-old Cairo clubs Al Ahly and Zamalek won multiple trophies. He led Egypt’s assault at the 1990 World Cup and helped the country win three Cup of Nations championships.

With 68 goals, he is Egypt’s all-time top scorer, 14 goals ahead of Mohamed Salah of Liverpool. 

South Africans recall Hassan as the player that finished the 1998 Nations Cup in Burkina Faso tied for first place with Benni McCarthy. In the championship match, Egypt defeated Bafana Bafana 2-0; neither striker scored.