Jordan place faith in Hassan
Egyptian great Hossam Hassan hired to revive national team’s floundering World Cup campaign ahead of crucial playoff.
Jordan appointed Egypt great Hossam Hassan to coach the national team on Wednesday through the Asian qualifying playoffs for the World Cup.
Hassan replaced Iraqi Adnan Hamad, who resigned this month after Jordan reached the playoffs with a 1-0 win over Oman.
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But by then, Hamad was under increasing fire from Jordan fans and media for the team’s stuttering campaign.
Hassan will take charge from next month, tasked with beating Uzbekistan in a two-leg playoff in September.
The winner then faces the fifth-placed side from South America in November for a berth in Brazil next year. Jordan has never played in a World Cup.
“Hassan is a model and we are optimistic he will be ready during the next period,” said Prince Ali, the Jordan Football Association president and FIFA vice president.
Hassan retired as a striker in 2007, owning the Egypt record for caps and goals after 21 years in the national team. He’d helped the Pharoahs win three African Cups and reach its second World Cup in 1990.
Since then he’s coached, and was hired by Jordan from Egyptian Premier League club Misr Elmaqasah.
Jordan also want Hassan to lead the team in Asian Cup qualifying and the West Asian Championship.