Al Ahly SC have officially named Danish coach Jess Thorup as their new head coach.
He replaces Jose Riveiro, whom the club sacked a few weeks ago.
Thorup joins one of Africa’s most decorated clubs.
He is set to become the highest-paid Danish manager in history..
His contract is reportedly worth $9 million over two and a half seasons.
The 55-year-old arrives with a strong domestic and continental track record.
He won five trophies over three seasons at a European club. He reached a CAF Champions League semi-final, and finished runner-up several times in domestic leagues.
His immediate challenge will be to reclaim the league title and compete for Africa’s top club prize, the CAF Champions League.
“The club’s management announced the signing of the Jess Thorup, to take over the responsibility of the first football team for two and a half years. Osama Hilal, Director of Contracting and Scouting, completed all administrative and financial matters,” the club statement read.
“This came after the meeting held by Captain Mahmoud Al-Khatib, the club president, with the planning committee and the sports director, and reviewing the vision of the football director.”
Thorup’s coaching résumé includes roles at Genk, FC Copenhagen, Gent, FC Midtjylland, and the Danish youth national teams.
