Former Benfica manager Rui Vitoria named Egypt manager

Rui Vitoria succeeds Ehab Galal, sacked last June, only two months after taking office, for poor results. Galal had taken the lead of the selection three months ago after the dismissal of the Portuguese Carlos Queiroz after the failure of the Pharaohs in the CAN 2021 final against Senegal.

” The Egyptian Football Federation has reached a definitive agreement with Portuguese Rui Vitoria to lead the Egyptian national team for the next four years said the EFA on Twitter.

At the head of Benfica, where he spent four seasons (2015-2019) Rui Vitoria won three Portuguese league titles (2016, 2017, 2019). From 2019 to 2020, the technician then moved to Saudi Arabia where he took charge of the A-Nassr team with some success since he won the championship there in 2019 and the Saudi Super Cup. Saudi Arabia in 2020. In 2021, the former midfielder signed with Spartak Moscow before his contract was finally terminated after six months.

A bet for Egypt

Player of modest level when he was still active, Rui Vitoria has everything of a bet for the Egyptian Federation. Coach for fifteen years, Vitoria has so far displayed a rather succinct CV, if not his experience with Benfica which remains the highlight of his career. At 52, he will thus find himself at the helm of a leading national team for the first time. He signed up until 2026.

Egypt will not take part in the next World Cup in Qatar (November 21 – December 18), after failing to qualify against Senegal in March in a rematch of the last CAN final. . The Pharaohs also remain on a defeat against Ethiopia (2-0) as part of the qualifications for CAN 2023.