Egypt‘s last-16 exit at the Total Africa Cup of Nations last Saturday proved costly for Mexican manager, Javier and his staff.
Egypt served the head coach Javier Aguirre a sack letter following their shock elimination in the round of 16 at the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations.
The host country, Egypt were left stunned last Saturday as they crashed out of the competition after lost 1-0 to South Africa in Cairo, where the Pharaohs failed to reach the quarter-finals for the first time since 2004.
Swiftly, Egyptian Football Association (EFA) president Hany Abou-Rida also announced his resignation, confirmed the departure of the entire technical and administrative staff.
Abou-Rida, despite his resignation, has said he will continue in his position as head of the organising committee of the 2019 AFCON.
Egypt appointed the sacked Aguirre after they exited in the group-stage at the 2018 World Cup in Russia.
“I am the one responsible [for Egypt’s exit],” Aguirre said at the post-match news conference.
“I’m responsible for all the selections and the end results, but I’m still proud of this group of players.”
Aguirre, who in the past has managed the likes of Mexico, Japan and Atletico Madrid as a coach, seemed resigned to his fate as well.
“The next step will be decided after I meet with the Egyptian FA board tomorrow,” he said following the match, though the decision was apparently taken to part ways prior to any meeting on Sunday.
Speaking on the round of 16 game, he said:
“The game was open and witnessed scoring chances; the only difference was that South Africa scored a goal that helped them to qualify.
“We also had our chances but couldn’t convert them,” he concluded.