Egypt coach Hossam Hassan was sacked on Saturday, with the Egyptian Football Association citing "a negative impact on the positive image of the team" as the reason.
The federation did not elaborate further in its statement, saying only that "maintaining the team's stability is a paramount priority" that cannot be compromised.
Egyptian media believed the decision had more to do with Hassan's personal life than with rumored disagreements with Egypt players, including star forward Mohamed Salah.
Egypt's Supreme Council for Media Regulation had banned Hassan last week from appearing in all media outlets, an unprecedented decision against a national coach. That ban followed disputes in Hassan's personal life becoming public.
Hassan was appointed Egypt coach in 2024 and became the first former Egypt player to coach the national team at a World Cup this year, with Egypt knocked out by Argentina in the last 16.
The EFA immediately replaced Hassan with Ali Maher, a long-time head coach in the Egyptian Premier League who is currently leading fourth-placed Ceramica Cleopatra.
Maher must get quickly up to speed. Egypt plays Malawi on Nov. 13 and 17 in qualifying for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations, a group Egypt currently leads.
