Dutch coach Langelier begins Al Ahly role as youth sector eyes bright future: Waleed Soliman

Al Ahly’s assistant sporting director for the youth sector, Waleed Soliman, confirmed on Sunday that Dutch coach Art Langelier has officially begun his role as the club’s youth technical director, holding a series of meetings with academy staff and attending matches across various age groups.

Soliman stated that Sporting Director Mohamed Youssef maintains a strong presence in the youth sector, monitoring progress and addressing any challenges, as a sign of the football department’s commitment to long-term development.

“We’ve held extensive sessions with Langelier. He’s a coach with vast experience and a strong desire to achieve success with the club, drawing from his past work,” Soliman said.

He thanked the club’s leadership for ensuring all the necessary resources are in place to support the sector. Describing Langelier’s appointment as a key step, Soliman praised the Dutch football school’s history of success and said the coach is impressed with Al Ahly’s infrastructure and the quality of academy players.

Soliman, a former Al Ahly winger, highlighted recent progress within the youth system, including the promotion of several players to the first team and invitations for many others to train abroad. He also noted that national youth teams across Egypt are relying heavily on Al Ahly talents.

The 2009-born U-16 squad includes between nine and 11 club players, while the U-17s (born 2008) and U-18s (featuring 2007-born players) also include promising Al Ahly prospects.

“We have standout names who’ve earned praise from all sides,” Soliman said.

“With the right opportunities and exposure to high-level competition, they can have bright futures.”

He added that the club is focused on instilling the values of Al Ahly and preparing players to handle pressure, often bringing them to high-profile matches to experience the atmosphere.

“Being part of this club is a privilege,” Soliman said. “We remind them constantly to seize the opportunity with passion and determination.”