Zamalek president gives several stars contract ultimatum

A day after Zamalek confirmed the departure of coach Patrice Carteron, the club president Mortada Mansour issued an ultimatum for players, whose’s contracts are set to expire, stating that they have until Thursday to sign new contracts or leave.

The Egyptian giants have been battling to reach an agreement with a number of their key players including Achraf Bencharki, Mohamed Abou-Gabal and Tarek Hamed as they enter the final four months of their contracts.

Zamalek’s president has now given the above-mentioned players until this Thursday to make a decision.

“This Thursday, from 12 pm to 2 pm, any player who wants to renew his contract should come to my office, and if he doesn’t want to renew, he should consider himself outside of the club,” he said.

“We respect everyone, and whoever wants to stay in Zamalek we will treat him with the utmost respect.”

Meanwhile, the White Knights have appointed Osama Nabih as their interim coach as they look for Carteron’s replacement following the club’s 3-1 Caf Champions League defeat to Wydad AC at the weekend.

“We now have a board meeting and we will take the final vote on the matter. Meanwhile, Amir Mortada, Gamal Abdelhamid and Ahmed Mortada have been looking for the new coach since this morning [Monday] One that’s worthy of Zamalek,” added Mansour.

“We won trophies with Carteron and we thank him for that. We wish the best for Zamalek in the coming period. We now finished the part regarding the coach and we will sit down with the players after that.”