MOSCOW, June 27 (Xinhua) -- Egypt coach Hector Cuper looks as if he has become the first managerial casualty of the 2018 World Cup following a communique issued by the Egyptian Football Federation late on Tuesday.
In the communique, the Federation President, Hani abu Rieda thanked the 62-year-old Argentinean for his two years at the head of the team, who he led to the final of the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations and to their first qualification for the World Cup finals since 1990. Although there is no official confirmation, the Egyptian media has suggested that this means the Argentinean will not be offered a new contract.
Cuper's current contract expired after their last World Cup game, which was a 2-1 defeat to Saudi Arabia in the Volgograd Arena. The loss means that despite decent displays against Russia and Uruguay they return home with three defeats from three games.
The coach had been criticized for his defensive line-ups in Russia, but was also handicapped by the shoulder injury suffered by Egypt's star player Mohamed Salah who missed the 1-0 defeat to Uruguay and despite scoring against Russia and Saudi Arabia, looked to be lacking match fitness.
Cuper admitted after the Saudi Arabia game that his contract had expired, adding that his future depended on a meeting with the Egyptian Football Federation in Cairo. Spain coach Julen Lopetegui was sacked and replaced by Fernando Hierro just 24 hours before the World Cup kicked off, after being confirmed as the next coach of Real Madrid.
