He has guided Egypt to 3 consecutive Africa Cup of Nations trophies
Hassan Shehata, 60, is the coach of the Egyptian national football team. A former player, he has inspired admiration locally and internationally for leading Egypt to win three successive titles of the African Cup of Nations in the years 2006, 2008 and 2010.
During his years as a player, Shehata, showed a lot of creativity in his game. He was a midfielder. But it is when he became Egyptian national team coach in 2004 that he has really shone.
One newspaper recently described how, after the departure of Italian coach Marco Tardelli in 2004, Egypt turned to Shehata who has “glowered successfully from behind his moustache ever sinceâ€.
Once a prolific centre-forward with Zamalek, he was not an obvious choice, having developed a reputation as a promotion specialist, guiding Menia, Sharquia and Suez into the top flight in successive seasons before taking charge of the national youth set-up.
In the 2006 African Cup of Nations, which was hosted by Egypt, he managed to bring Egypt to the finals against Côte d’Ivoire. Egypt won the game and the cup, which provoked Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak to personally congratulate Shehata and award him his medal.
Shehata insisted on a team ethic, stamping on the egos that had been so troublesome in the past.
That year, during the African Cup semi-final against Senegal, Shehata was involved in a serious row with then Tottenham Hotspur’s striker Mido who reacted badly to being substituted.
Shehata’s decision-making was, however, vindicated when the substitute netted a vital goal that took Egypt into the final.
Before the just concluded Africa Cup, Shehata stirred controversy internationally when he said in an interview that he wants only players who observe Islam.
His revelation that his team selection is based equally on religious piety and skill, was viewed as a measure of the extent to which sports and religion are increasingly mixing in the overwhelmingly Muslim nation.
Some of Egypt’s 80 million people are Christians. There were, however, no Christians on the squad that won the African Cup of Nations title in Angola.
Shehata is often praying during games and often asks supporters to pray for the national side. In Ghana the squad joined in sacrificing a cow and they are expected to pray together.
Shehata said “pious behaviour†was the main reason for selection.
“Without it, we will never select any player regardless of his potential,†he said. “I always strive to make sure that those who wear the Egypt jersey are on good terms with God.â€
One newspaper, the independent al-Shorouk, quoted Shehata as saying that striker Ahmed “Mido,†on loan from England’s Middlesborough to Cairo’s Zamalek, was cut four days after his initial selection because he did not fit the manager’s prerequisite for piety.
He revealed how he convinced Egypt striker Mohammed Zidan, who plays for the German club Dortmund, to begin praying.
“I did not like how he used to be aloof and not mix with the rest,†Shehata said. “I convinced him of the need to pray and how important it is. He has been praying since.â€
Media reports say that Shehata’s refusal to co-operate with the media and brusque touchline manner, makes him appear like a sergeant-majorly figure but Zidan says the reality is very different. “He’s like a father,†he said. “We make jokes with him. He’s not a young coach and it’s strange to see somebody of his age who is so close to his team. Maybe other people don’t see this – they just see him in the game when he is tense and is giving us instructions.â€
Egypt failed to qualify for this year’s World Cup finals in South Africa, losing to Algeria 1-0 in a make-or-break decider. Egypt last qualified to the World Cup in 1990.
Since the Africa cup ended, Shehata says Nigeria have approached him to lead the Super Eagles during the World Cup.
“Nigeria have expressed an interest in hiring me to take charge of their team during the World Cup,†Shehata was quoted as saying by Modern Sport.
“It would be a great honour for me to work at the World Cup. However, the Egyptian FA will have the final word on whether I could work with Nigeria on a temporary basis.â€
Nigeria’s current head coach Shaibu Amodu is being heavily criticised following the Super Eagles’ disappointing performances in Angola.
Egypt last went out of the Cup of Nations in the group stage six years ago but in 17 games since they are unbeaten.
They won the tournament on home soil in 2006 and then became only the second North African side to win it in West Africa, triumphing in Ghana two years later.
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