Al-Ahly, Egypt’s most decorated football club, has moved swiftly to install Danish coach Jess Thorup as its new head coach, signing him to a two-and-a-half-year contract. The decision follows the dismissal of Spaniard José Riveiro after a series of disappointing results.
Background and reasons for the change
Riveiro was appointed in May, ahead of Al-Ahly’s campaign in the Club World Cup, in a bid to maintain their dominance in both domestic and international competitions. However, under his leadership the club underperformed: they exited early from the Club World Cup, suffered defeats and draws they were not expecting, and their domestic form was patchy—only one win in four league matches before his departure.
Interim coach Emad El-Nahhas had steadied the ship somewhat, helping Al-Ahly climb back towards contention in the Egyptian Premier League, closing the gap to rivals Zamalek and El-Masry.
Who is Jess Thorup
Jess Thorup is a 55-year-old Danish coach with a broad and solid resume. Before leaving FC Augsburg in May 2025, he had coached several notable clubs and national youth teams. His previous roles include spells at FC Copenhagen, Genk, Gent, and managing Denmark’s Under-21 side.
Thorup has won the Danish Superliga title multiple times — once with FC Midtjylland in 2017, and again with Copenhagen in the 2021-22 season. He has also had experience guiding youth teams to major tournaments, contributing to his reputation as a technically sound and tactically flexible coach.
What the contract covers and what to expect
- Thorup’s contract runs for two and a half years, signalling Al-Ahly’s intention to give him time to rebuild and establish his methods.
- He will arrive in Cairo with a full backroom staff, including two assistants, a physical trainer, a technical analyst, and a goalkeeping coach. He is expected to officially begin his duties shortly after arrival.
From the club’s announcement, it is clear Al-Ahly sees this hiring as more than just a quick fix. There is an implicit understanding that Thorup needs to restore stability, ensure consistency, and push Al-Ahly back into championship contention both domestically and in African club tournaments.
Challenges and expectations
Thorup inherits a high-pressure environment. Al-Ahly’s fans and hierarchy expect success — the club has a storied history and little tolerance for extended periods without trophies. The coach will need to quickly adapt to Egyptian football’s pace, atmosphere, and demands.
Other challenges include:
- Turning around league performance and ensuring the team competes strongly against arch-rivals like Zamalek and El-Masry.
- Regaining confidence in continental competitions and recovering from the recent disappointing Club World Cup showing.
- Managing squad dynamics, possibly integrating new players, and making sure his backroom staff can support him effectively amid rigorous fixtures and travel.
Significance for Al-Ahly and Egyptian football
The appointment of Thorup illustrates Al-Ahly’s ambition to remain at the top not just in Egypt but in Africa. It also signals a willingness to look outside typical circuits for coaching talent — bringing in someone with European experience, tactical pedigree, and familiarity with pressure environments.
If Thorup succeeds, it could encourage other Egyptian clubs to pursue international coaches with proven track records, helping raise competitiveness in the league and improving the quality of coaching throughout.
In summary, Jess Thorup’s appointment is a bold move by Al-Ahly. He arrives with a strong resume, a clear mandate, and high expectations. Whether he can deliver under pressure remains to be seen — but for Al-Ahly, this marks the start of a new chapter.
