CAIRO: Zamalek s newly-appointed boss Hossam Hassan got hero s reception when he managed the team for the first time in training on Tuesday night.
Around 7,000 Zamalek fans attended the session to welcome the former Egypt star, who took the Cairo giants helm on Monday following the sacking of French tactician Henri Michel.
The crowd chanted Hossam s name ahead of the session, calling on him to help Zamalek get back to winning ways. The 43-year-old legend was gladly waving back to them.
Hassan is confident of having a successful spell with the fallen Cairo giants.
Hassan, who had unfruitful spells with Masri and Telecom Egypt recently, believes that Zamalek have what it takes to get back on track.
Zamalek have all resources of success, the Egypt legend told reporters as he arrived at the club for the first time on Tuesday.
A clever board, dedicated fans and above all, there are some outstanding talents in the squad.
It has been a while since Zamalek boasted this number of stars at the same time. The presence of Mido [Ahmed Hossam], Amr Zaki and Shikabala [Mahmoud Abdel-Razeq] will certainly drive us forward.
Hassan is willing to rely on his renowned determination to face the tough task of rejuvenating the White Knights.
The situation is difficult as well as the timing, but I love challenges and I am determined to achieve something with such a big club, he added.
We are going into a new era, so I hope the supporters would forget the past.
The former Ahly striker is focused on Thursday s game with Harras Hodoud, which comes less than a week before the Cairo derby with Ahly.
The Hodoud game represents a fresh start for us, so I am fully focused on this match, Hassan said.
If we managed a positive result against Hodoud, it will boost us when we face Ahly.
On the other hand, playmaker Mahmdoud “Shikabala Abdel-Razeq returned to training for the first time after Zamalek s 2-0 loss to Police Union on Sunday.
In the League game, Shikabala was jeered by his own fans shortly after the White knights conceded the second goal, which caused him to burst into tears after a brief verbal exchange with the spectators.
In an attempt to atone for their angry attack on Shikabala, the fans chanted 23-year-old s name.
The former PAOK Saloniki man first ignored the supporters reconciliation efforts, although goalie Abdel-Wahed Al-Sayed was urging him not to turn them down.
Eventually, head coach Hassan coaxed him into responding to the fans, which prompted an imposing roar.
Zamalek youngster Hossam Arafat has also got back in training after overcoming the minor concussion he suffered from early this month.
Under the guidance of Michel and Swiss manager Michel Decastel, Zamalek lost five games out of 10, and now they are languishing in 10th place with 11 points.
Hassan is due to make his coaching debut with the five-time African champions when they take on Harras Hodoud in the Egyptian Premier League on Thursday.
