Orlando Pirates' experience not enough? Al Ahly legend raises concern over selection of Jose Riveiro - 'I wished that a world-class coach would have been appointed'

Al Ahly legend Mohamed Farouk has voiced his concerns following the club's move to appoint Jose Riveiro as the head coach.

Farouk said that Riveiro has no requisite experience to coach the Egyptian heavyweights, and appointing a local coach, he insists, would have been a more viable option.

"I wish that a world-class coach would coach Al-Ahly in the Club World Cup, especially since Rivero's first experience was coaching Orlando Pirates," Farouk told Twaslnews as per Kickoff.

"As long as a world-class coach was not brought in, a local coach would have been preferable, especially since there are prominent names like Hossam El-Badry, Ali Maher, and Emad El-Nahhas who have achieved outstanding results," he added.

"Hossam El-Badry has achieved impressive results during his tenure as coach of Al-Ahly."

Riveiro left Pirates after serving them for three seasons, and his next destination was Egypt, where he took over at Al Ahly.

Al Ahly fell back on the Spaniard who had won two Nedbank Cups and three MTN8 titles, hoping that he would lead them to more success domestically and at the continental level.

Al Ahly, just like Pirates, were eliminated at the semi-final of the Caf Champions League, forcing the Egyptians to sack Marcel Koller and later replace him with Riveiro.

The former Bucs' tactician accepted the job well aware of the high expectations and criticism that will come his way if he does not succeed.

Going by history, Al Ahly's legends are known to be ruthless critics of coaches who fail to deliver.

After failing to lead the Sea Robbers to a Premier Soccer League title and Champions League glory, he has been given another stage to try and do that with a more experienced side, Al Ahly.

In his first game, Riveiro saw his players pick a 1-1 draw against Pachuca FC, a Mexican side who are also the 2024 CONCACAF Champions Cup champions. This friendly is part of Al Ahly's preparation for the Fifa Club World Cup tournament.