Wadi Degla will make a decision regarding Alexander Laffite within hours.
Wadi Degla will determine the future of French coach Alexandre Laffite in the coming hours, deciding whether to finalize his appointment or to look for other options to lead the team in the near future.
In recent days, Wadi Degla's management has been in talks with Laffite, with discussions reaching advanced stages. Laffite confirmed that he has been contacted by the club regarding their interest in hiring him, but he noted that he has not yet entered into formal negotiations regarding financial details or contract terms.
Wadi Degla's Position on Laffite
Wadi Degla's management is expected to resolve the matter in the next few hours, especially with several scenarios in play, whether to complete the deal with Laffite or to pursue another candidate, while Mustafa Shbita continues to lead the team temporarily.
This comes as Wadi Degla is facing crucial matches in the near future, prompting the management to expedite their decision regarding the new head coach to ensure technical stability and avoid delays in determining the coaching staff that will lead the team in the upcoming phase.
Alexandre Laffite is 29 years old and is a French coach who began his coaching career at a young age, getting his first opportunity to coach a professional team at the age of 25 when he took charge of Stade Abidjan in Ivory Coast.
A Notable Experience with Stade Abidjan
Laffite's time at Stade Abidjan is considered one of the highlights of his coaching career, as he took over while the team was struggling to avoid relegation, before managing to improve their results and leading them to a second-place finish, qualifying for the CAF Champions League, and ultimately winning the Ivorian league title for the 2024-2025 season, a title that ended a 56-year drought for the club.
During his stint in Côte d'Ivoire, Laffite faced Al Ahly in the group stage of the CAF Champions League, where he led Stade Abidjan against the Red Devils in a match that ended in a 4-2 victory for Al Ahly, providing the French coach with additional experience in handling major African competitions.
Stint with Marumo Gallants
Laffite then moved to South Africa for a new challenge with Marumo Gallants, where he took charge of the team last season, participating in 24 matches across various competitions, achieving 6 wins, 6 draws, and 12 losses. He also led the team to the Carling Cup final, where they lost to Orlando Pirates by a single goal.
The French coach departed Marumo Gallants in March 2026 after a period of declining results, before later being considered for several clubs in South Africa, including Wadi Degla's interest in hiring him.
Early Experience with Youth Teams
Laffite's experience is not limited to coaching first teams, as he began his coaching career at the age of 18, working in various roles in France, including a stint with the youth sector at Paris Saint-Germain, as well as involvement in women's football with Paris FC, which gave him early experience in player development and working in diverse professional environments.
Laffite relies on building strong relationships with players while maintaining discipline, and he has previously spoken about his interest in delivering attractive football and developing the group he works with, a philosophy that was evident during his time with Stade Abidjan.
