Jose Peseiro: Al Ahly’s stability gives them the edge over Zamalek

Jose Peseiro believes Al Ahly’s institutional stability has helped them dominate African football, while Zamalek’s more volatile environment has contributed to their struggles in the CAF Champions League.

The Portuguese coach, now managing Saudi First Division side AlUla, has had brief spells with both Egyptian giants. He coached Al Ahly from October 2015 to January 2016 before leaving to take charge of Porto, then returned to Egypt almost a decade later to lead Zamalek between February and May 2025.

Peseiro also managed Sporting CP and Braga, as well as Porto, and guided Nigeria to the final of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations. He said his current priority was securing promotion with AlUla before turning them into a leading Saudi club.

“Modern football, especially in Saudi Arabia, leaves no time without results,” Peseiro told Kooora. “AlUla’s ambitious project goes beyond the pitch and includes culture and organisation. Our focus is on combining development with organisation and efficiency.”

AlUla came close to promotion last season, but had three points deducted for administrative reasons despite collecting enough points on the field to secure a place in the Saudi Pro League.

“That decision was extremely unfair,” he said. “With the administration and organisational structure we have, and the quality of our squad, we are fully confident of winning the title this season.”

Peseiro said AlUla was being built for long-term success and could eventually challenge for the Saudi Pro League title. He added that the club’s aim was stability rather than making ambitious promises before disappearing.

Asked which player he would sign with an unlimited budget to become the face of the project, Peseiro declined to name an individual.

“I am very happy with the players who make up my team. We have already made our choices. From that moment, our players are the best,” he said.

Different environments

Peseiro described Al Ahly as a club with “institutional stability and a very clear decision-making structure”, allowing its operations to run more smoothly. Zamalek, he said, was driven by intense emotion and passion, creating a more changeable working environment.

“They are two different forces: one is based on method and the other on the emotional involvement of its supporters,” he said. “It was an honour to coach the two biggest clubs in Africa.”

Peseiro admitted he should not have left Al Ahly for Porto, insisting he would have achieved major success with a squad he considered the best in Africa at the time. At Zamalek, he said several circumstances disrupted his work, although he led the club to the Egypt Cup final, which they later won.

“I was disappointed that I was not the coach in the final,” he said.

He attributed Al Ahly’s stronger continental record to continuity, arguing that success in Africa requires a structure capable of protecting the coach’s work and maintaining squad stability.

Peseiro also said the departure of Ahmed Sayed “Zizo” from Zamalek to Al Ahly, shortly before the quarter-final against Stellenbosch in the CAF Confederation Cup, had a decisive effect on that match and on his own spell at Zamalek.

“Moving between the two biggest rivals in a country like Egypt creates enormous psychological pressure,” he said. “Zizo is a very talented professional, but sporting performance is closely linked to the psychological state. When mental stability is affected, it eventually shows on the pitch.”