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Amouta Facing Criticism and Pressure at Al Ahly.. What Has Changed and What Is Still Missing?
Hussein Amouta has found himself under criticism and fan pressure surprisingly early in his Al Ahly tenure.
Despite encouraging results, sections of the support remain unconvinced by the team's performances, with some even calling for the Moroccan coach to leave following the draw with Arab Contractors.
Al Ahly responded by posting a picture of Amouta with the words “Our coach”, an apparent public show of support.
So has Amouta really failed to add anything, or are the concerns more complicated than that?
Clearer defensive structure
The most noticeable improvement has come without the ball.
Al Ahly have looked more compact and better organised defensively, allowing opponents fewer clear openings and showing greater control of space.
That was particularly evident against Smouha, when Al Ahly dominated the contest while giving their opponents very little threat at the other end.
It therefore seems harsh to argue that Amouta has changed nothing.
The attacking questions remain
The more legitimate criticism concerns Al Ahly's attacking play.
The team can dominate possession and push opponents back, but that control has not always translated into sustained danger.
Against Smouha, Al Ahly needed a late goal despite creating numerous attempts. Against Arab Contractors, they struggled to break down a compact defensive block and too much possession became circulation without penetration.
That is where Amouta still has work to do.
A squad with Al Ahly's attacking quality should develop clearer, repeatable solutions rather than depend too heavily on individual inspiration.
The Zizo issue
Ahmed Sayed Zizo's positioning has also attracted attention.
At times he has operated in deeper and more central areas, despite much of his threat traditionally coming from the right.
It is too early to label the experiment a failure, but Amouta needs to demonstrate that changing the roles of key players is improving the team rather than simply moving them around.
Is the criticism justified?
Partly.
Questions over attacking tempo, chance creation against organised defences and the use of important players are legitimate.
Calls for Amouta's dismissal, however, look premature.
He had a pre-season and can therefore reasonably be expected to show signs of progress, but he is still early in the process of reshaping the team and integrating a squad that has not always been fully available.
The picture so far is therefore neither complete success nor failure.
Al Ahly appear more organised, but their attacking identity remains underdeveloped.
The more important question is not whether Amouta should already leave.
It is whether he can turn greater structure into a team with a clear and consistently dangerous attacking identity.
If he does, the current criticism may quickly fade.
If the same problems remain over time, the pressure will become much easier to justify.
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