Gharieb takes charge of Al Merrikh after Micho's exit

Sudanese side Al Merrikh has got a new coach after parting ways with Serbian trainer Milutin Sredojević, nicknamed Micho. The Omdurman side appointed Egyptian coach Shawky Gharieb as Micho’s successor.

The veteran coach signed a one-year deal with Merrikh on Wednesday. Gharieb brought his assistants from Egypt as he prepares for a new adventure in the Mauritanian Super D1, where Merrikh competes due to the civil war in Sudan.

Micho reportedly stated he left Merrikh due to unpaid salary but sources close to the club claimed a recent poor run of form forced the board to seek other options.

Gharieb, 66, is a former Egyptian international. He is well known for being an assistant coach of the Egyptian national side from 2004 up until 2011, during which he won three consecutive African Cup of Nations titles. He also won the AFCON as a player in 1986 and previously worked as the Egypt U-23 national team head coach at the 2020 Summer Olympic Games.

Al Merrikh are currently sixth in the Mauritanian top flight with 36 points, 11 points behind leaders FC Nouadhibou.