Al Ahly Target Former Champions League and Premier League Manager Bruno Lage

Al Ahly SC have entered negotiations with Portuguese manager Bruno Lage as they seek to fill the club’s vacant head coach position. The 12-time CAF Champions League winners are hoping Lage’s experience at the highest levels of European football can steer them through one of the most difficult periods in their recent history.

Bruno Lage brings a mid CV to the table. He previously managed Benfica, where he enjoyed success winning the Primeira Liga title, Taça da Liga, and the Supertaça Cândido de Oliveira. Lage also took charge of Wolverhampton Wanderers in the Premier League, guiding them to a respectable 10th-place finish in the 2021/2022 season.

In July 2023, Lage was appointed head coach of Brazilian side Botafogo. However, his stint was short, lasting only until October 2023. He was dismissed after an eight-match winless run and the club’s elimination from the Copa Sudamericana South America’s second-tier club competition.

Lage has now emerged as Al Ahly’s top candidate for the role. Sources close to the negotiations reveal that the Portuguese tactician is demanding a salary in the region of €5 million per year. Meanwhile, Al Ahly have reportedly countered with an offer closer to €3.5 million annually. Discussions between the two parties remain ongoing.

Despite his credentials, there is mounting skepticism within sections of the fanbase and club hierarchy regarding whether Lage is the right man for the job. Critics point to his second-season sacking at Wolves, a poor run with Botafogo, and the fact that he was recently replaced at Benfica as reasons for concern.

Al Ahly find themselves in a difficult situation. Last season’s Semi Final exit from the CAF Champions League was widely seen as a failure for the record 12-time winners. Their group stage elimination in the FIFA Club World Cup, coupled with a disappointing sixth-place standing in the Egyptian Premier League this season has intensified calls for urgent leadership.

On contrary supporters of the potential appointment argue that Lage’s vast experience in elite competitions including the UEFA Champions League, Premier League, and Club World Cup could prove vital in restoring stability and success at Al Ahly. If the two sides can agree on financial terms, the appointment may yet prove a turning point in the club’s season.