Mohamed Salah had no role in Hossam Hassan’s dismissal or the appointment of Ali Maher as Egypt head coach, according to an EFA board member.

“Salah had no role in choosing Ali Maher to coach the national team. The decision came from the federation itself,” Egyptian Football Association board member Mostafa Abo Zahra told ON Sport following Saturday’s announcement.

He added that Salah would have joined the upcoming training camp “regardless of who was in charge” and had not discussed the choice of coach with the federation.

Abo Zahra also rejected suggestions that EFA president Hany Abo Rida’s recent visit to Turkey was linked to the coaching change. Speaking separately to MBC Masr, he said Abo Rida had travelled at the Turkish federation’s invitation and met Salah during the trip.

He denied that the EFA had asked Hassan or his brother Ibrahim, the national team director, to accompany Abo Rida to meet the Egypt captain.

The comments followed speculation about Salah’s relationship with Hassan after the forward was substituted against Angola in September and subsequently left the squad before the qualifier against South Sudan.

The EFA dismissed Hassan and his staff yesterday, citing the “negative effect of recent events” on the national team’s stability. It appointed Ceramica Cleopatra coach Maher as his replacement.

Abo Zahra said the board had considered the atmosphere around the team and public reaction before making its decision. He added that Hassan accepted the news and wished the national team well.

Maher is set to choose his coaching staff in the coming period, with no replacement national team director appointed, while the administrative and medical staff remain.

Egypt host Malawi on November 13 before travelling for the return fixture four days later in qualifying for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations.