Foot Africa
·9 October 2025
Five things to know about Jess Thorup, Al-Ahly's new head coach

In partnership with
Yahoo sportsFoot Africa
·9 October 2025
What you need to know about Al-Ahly's new coach
Al-Ahly has secured its new manager. The Danish tactician Jess Thorup takes over from Jose Riveiro on the Red Devils' bench.
Here are five things you should know about Al-Ahly’s new head coach:
- Born on February 21, 1970, he was a professional player at OB Odense, KFC Uerdingen, Wacker Innsbruck, Esbjerg fB, and Hamarkameratene.
- He transitioned to coaching in 2011 with Danish side Esbjerg fB, where he lifted the Danish Cup.
- Between 2013 and 2015, he was promoted to coach Denmark's U20 and U21 national teams, leading them to qualification for the Euros and the Olympic Games.
- He managed FC Midtjylland from 2015 to 2018, winning a league title and reaching the Europa League.
- Alongside spells in Belgium with Gent and Genk, and in Germany with Augsburg, he also managed FC Copenhagen (2020-2022), winning the league and qualifying for the UEFA Champions League.