Zamalek reach agreement to extend Patrice Carteron contract after coronavirus crisis
Egyptian heavyweights Zamalek have planned to extent the stay of manager Patrice Carteron when the coronavirus crisis is over after the two parties agreed on contract extension.
The French International took over from Serbian trainer Milutin Sredojević , Micho, back in December last year, and Carteron who lifted the 2015 CAF Champions League with TP Mazembe, has been exceptional at the Cairo International Stadium, leading Zamalek to be crowned champions of the 2020 CAF Super Cup and Egyptian Super Cup against North African giants Esperance de Tunis and local rival Al Ahly respectively.
Carteron, former Raja Club Athletic manager between January and December, 2019, will see his current contract expire at the end of this season and Zamalek officials cannot overlooked his master pieces at the dugout and knee offering Carteron contract extension.
Zamalek chairman Mortada Mansour confirmed the new agreement to extend Carteron’s stay on Thursday evening which will see the manager sign a year deal after the covid-19 crisis.
“We reached an agreement with Carteron to extend his stay with the team for another season,” Mansour told a television programme.
“We agreed with him to sign the new contract after the end of the current crisis with the spread of the coronavirus.”
“Carteron is a distinctive coach who succeeded in winning two trophies with the team and achieved victory in tough games.”
Zamalek are the current holders of the CAF Confederations Cup and CAF Super Cup with the ambition of adding this year’s Champions League title.
If the Egyptians succeed in lifting the 2019-2020 CAF Champions League, they will become the first club in Africa to win in succession all CAF club cups at a glance after lifting the Confederations Cup in 2019, Super Cup in 2020 and Champions League in 2020.
Carteron would be part of that beautiful history if accomplished. The manager has already attracted interest from clubs across and beyond after where the Zamalek boss rejected a financially attractive offer to Japanese Professional League.
An unknown Japanese club submitted the Zamalek boss a ‘big offer’ but the manager refused to remain committed to Zamalek as expressed by the manager.
“I received a big offer from one of the Japanese clubs but I refused it,” Carteron told reporters.
“Despite my contract with Zamalek expiring at the end of the current season, I refused the offer,” he added.
“The Japanese offer was very financially attractive, and for two seasons.
“I refused the offer because I can’t leave Zamalek during the current situation, as the team is preparing for the CAF Champions League semifinals.”
Zamalek face Raja Casablanca in the semifinals of the Champions League when football resumes on the African continent.
