Former Tottenham Hotspurs boss Martin Jol describes African powerhouse Al Ahly as the biggest club in the World
Biggest club in the World? Pretty much interesting for Martin Jol and Al Ah supporters and African football in general that a club on the continent is put, in the pegging order, on top of European and South American elite clubs.
Jol who bossed Ahly at the Cairo Stadium for only seven months, from February 2016 to August 2016, has labeled his former side as the biggest club in the World.
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The record eight-time CAF Champions League winners are undoubtedly one of the biggest clubs in the World, and from a popular opinion, the biggest in Africa.
They have won every title they have ever competed for with the exception of the FIFA Club World Cup. And that alone can spark a genuine argument for many clubs in South American and European who have built their trophy cabinet with all forms of international trophies including the FIFA Club World Cup.
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Al Ahly has a record of 41 national league titles, 36 national cups titles, and 11 national super cup titles making Al Ahly the most decorated club in Egypt. In addition, Al Ahly has never been relegated to the Egyptian Second Division.
In international competitions, the club has won a record 8 CAF Champions League titles, a CAF Confederation Cup title, a record 6 CAF Super Cup titles, a record 4 African Cup Winners’ Cup titles, an Afro-Asian Club Championship title, an Arab Club Champions Cup title, an Arab Cup Winners’ Cup title, a record 2 Arab Super Cup titles, and won a bronze medal in the 2006 FIFA Club World Cup.
However, Jol who also managed Spurs from 2004 to 2007, claim that Ahly is the biggest club in the World has a twist from on the pitch achievements.
“I’m very happy [with my career],” Jol said, according to KingFut via KickOff.
“I’m a part of Spurs’ history and that is a nice feeling. Of course, I was with Ajax and RKC [Waalwijk], and in Germany and Al Ahly – that is probably the biggest club in the world, they’ve got 17 million fans! – but Spurs, that was my favourite club and it will always play a part in my life.”
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Jol claim’s does not necessarily suggest Ahly’s superiority in World football regarding success or achievement on the field (titles, honors and awards).
The claim regards the Reds as such in terms of support base. The Dutch trainer has previously held the reins at European sides such as Ajax Amsterdam, Hamburger SV and Tottenham Hotspur, spent six months with the Egyptian outfit in 2016, helping the club clinch the Egyptian Premier League title.
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The Egyptian football club is ranked ahead, regarding fan base, of all these clubs managed by Jol. The North African giants are believed to have approximately 17 million supporters across the World.
In terms of international titles, Al Ahly have been leapfrogged for the top spot by Laliga giants Real Madrid.
Al Ahly is the second most successful club in the world in terms of number of international titles (20) behind Real Madrid (26).
