Khaled Galal: Zamalek performs miracles, and Ismaily faced refereeing injustice but did not fall technically.
Khaleed Galal, the current coach of Ghazl El Mahalla and former coach of Zamalek and Ismaily, stated that the international break came at just the right time. The club organized a strong training camp in Cairo and played competitive friendly matches. He emphasized that he is trying to test all players to achieve tactical flexibility that utilizes the full potential of the team. "We have some outstanding youth players, including the Algerian professional Faris, who earned a penalty against Zamalek," he said.
Galal added in statements to the "Stars of Ora League" program with Ahmed El Masry on ON Sport FM that he takes responsibility for any negative results as the head coach and then holds players accountable individually. The team includes experienced players alongside good youth, and he is currently working to enhance the team's attacking capabilities, focusing on scoring goals as quickly as possible.
The former Ismaily coach expressed his happiness at leading Ghazl El Mahalla, a historic club with a large fan base known as the "Leader of the Farmers," where the fans have a great passion for beautiful football.
Galal concluded by expressing his love for beautiful football, noting that he feels sad when winning while the team does not perform as required. "This is my nature; I love balanced attacking football, and I am optimistic about my experience with Ghazl El Mahalla."
Khaleed Galal: Zamalek fans are an "exceptional case" and I call for full opportunities for Egyptian coaches
Galal emphasized the importance of ending the notion that "Zamalek's coach will leave Zamalek and Al Ahly's coach will surpass Al Ahly," asserting that this claim has no basis in reality, and all coaches are guided by their conscience and fear God in their work.
He continued that negotiations with Ghazl El Mahalla did not take long, as any successful experience depends on a respectable board of directors, which he noticed in his communication with engineer Walid Khalil, the club's president, and Sherif El Khashab.
The former Zamalek coach admitted he was concerned about the possibility of Zamalek winning by a large margin since it was his first match with the team, as he worked with the players more on the psychological side than the technical. They trained on closing down play options on the flanks and in the center, while they had several attacking opportunities that were missed. Zamalek scored from a penalty thanks to their experience.
Galal continued: "We had a chance to send off a Zamalek defender, but the officiating was generally good in the match. Despite our loss, I did not feel unusually anxious about facing Zamalek, as we played well and were the better side at times. Zamalek is a big club with a tremendous fan base."
He added: "Zamalek's fans are an exceptional case, as their support was amazing from the first minute until the last moment, even when the team was behind. The fans give the team great motivation and a fighting spirit, alongside the wonderful efforts of Moataz Gamal, who seized the opportunity and gave Zamalek a historic title, providing the club's board with a new chance."
Galal, the former Ismaily coach, stated that he has often called for giving Egyptian coaches at Zamalek and Al Ahly the opportunity to coach their teams. "With the history of both clubs, we find that legends and icons in the sports field have achieved championships everywhere. Egyptian coaches should be given full confidence just as foreigners are."
Galal concluded his remarks by saying: "Coaches in the Egyptian Premier League are in good condition and possess high skill and competence. The coaches of Al Ahly and Zamalek are also capable of leading their teams to championships."
Khaleed Galal: Zamalek is achieving the impossible right now, and Ismaily has been "harmed" by officiating but has not dropped technically
Galal stressed that Ismaily has not dropped technically but has been "harmed" by officiating after four goals were disallowed in three matches at the team's stadium. He confirmed that everyone turned their backs on the team last season, and the team has continued to suffer for five years without rescue. Nevertheless, he considers Ismaily a big and historic team, and this is one of his best coaching periods. "Thank God, Ismaily's fans love me."
Galal continued: "We had hope of avoiding relegation, but we stumbled in the first four matches. If we had not faced officiating injustice, the team would not have dropped in the way it did. I have not spared any effort and feel happy with my experience with the Ismaily, even though the ending was negative. However, there is a positive aspect, which is gaining the love of Ismaily's historic fans."
The former Zamalek coach added: "I took over Zamalek during one of the toughest periods, as things at the club are often unstable, requiring extra effort from the fans who give the team all their support. Zamalek's fans are the number one player alongside the players who deserve this title."
Galal continued: "Zamalek is achieving the impossible right now. Winning its matches before the international break is an unusual technical situation. There is a great deal of luck. It is normal for the team not to achieve good results under the circumstances, but what is happening is not normal. The main reasons are: 'the team is united,' 'the dressing room is stable,' and the fans fight in every match. The players know their interests well and work hard, appreciating the circumstances."
Galal concluded by affirming that the departure of Bezerra will have a significant impact on Zamalek this season, as he gave the club everything and made him a "star." Zamalek is the one that creates players and coaches, and thank God we got to know and shine through the club.
Khaleed Galal: Zizo is "wronged" technically, and Al Ahly and Pyramids are the closest to winning the league this season
Galal confirmed that Zamalek was not affected by the departure of either Imam Ashour, who was a reason for his nomination to come to Mit Okba, emphasizing: "Imam Ashour was a Zamalek ultras and eventually moved to Al Ahly," or Zizo, who is considered the best player in Egypt over the past three years before his transfer to Al Ahly. "All factors were in his favor, and he is the star of the team, but he chose a different path."
Galal continued: "The prevailing language now is materialism, and fans should not be saddened by the departure of any player. Do not be deceived by the words of any player claiming loyalty and saying 'me, me.' This talk no longer exists."
The former Zamalek coach added: "The reason for Zizo's decline in performance is his lack of participation in his primary position as a right winger, where there is no one to support him as he had at Zamalek. Reda Abdel Aal was one of the most important midfield players of his generation and was one of my closest friends, but his level at Zamalek was much better than at Al Ahly. Zamalek's style of play is different, and the whole team supported him. In summary, Zizo is technically wronged at Al Ahly and has not provided Al Ahly with what he offered Zamalek."
Galal concluded his remarks by stating: "Al Ahly and Pyramids are the closest to winning the league this season, and the departure of Bezerra will affect Zamalek if he is not replaced, as the team lacks a player who makes a difference. Things will not always go smoothly, and the team must be reinforced in January to avoid ending the season in a way that does not satisfy the fans."
Khaleed Galal: The Egyptian national team was surprised by Angola's level, and Pyramids is currently playing the best football in Egypt
Galal believes that the Egyptian national team did not deliver a convincing performance in its match against Angola, noting that the opponent surprised everyone with its physical and technical level and created more chances. The result could have been catastrophic given the charged atmosphere of the match and the coaching staff's quick substitutions.
Galal added: "Despite the draw and the failures in some matches, Hossam Hassan's experience contains positive points, especially his courage in attack and giving opportunities to new faces like Ziko and Imam Ashour, who are showing excellent levels in the league."
He continued his statements by discussing local competitions: "Pyramids is currently the best-performing team in the Egyptian league, while Al Ahly has signings and capabilities that make its performance better than it currently appears, and its responsibility is greater to satisfy its fans."
Galal concluded his remarks by sending a message to Ghazl El Mahalla fans: "We understand the magnitude of the responsibility, but the board of directors supports us, and everyone is putting in their utmost effort. I hope the great Mahalla fans stand behind the team and support it to achieve results that please them in the coming period."
