AMSTERDAM — Recently released US national team manager Bob Bradley is set to interview for the vacant Egypt job this week, MLSsoccer.com has confirmed.
On Sunday night, Egyptian paper Al-Ahram reported that Bradley would be in competition with former Montenegro manager Zoran Filipović and former Trinidad and Tobago coach Francisco Maturana. However, an Egyptian federation spokesman indicated to MLSsoccer.com that the American was their first choice.
"The president of the federation will meet with the coach this week," Egypt's national team press officer Azmi Megahed told MLSsoccer.com on Monday. "He is maybe the top contender."
The spokesman revealed that the federation had been impressed with Bradley since his US side topped Egypt 3-0 in a do-or-die final group match at the 2009 Confederations Cup.
Should Bradley take the Egypt job, he would become the first American-born coach to lead a foreign national team since Steve Sampson managed Costa Rica from 2002-2004.
After the Pharoahs made a slow start to 2012 African Cup of Nations qualifying this spring, longtime manager Hassan Shehata handed in his resignation. The seven-time African champs — including the last three — are currently at the bottom of Group G with two points from four matches.
Still on their schedule are an away match against Sierra Leone in early September and then a home match against Niger in early October. Despite their struggles, Egypt could still qualify for the tournament, which will be held in Gabon and Equatorial Guinea.
