The Portuguese returned to Cairo on Wednesday night and had his first press conference hours later, a few days after signing a one-and-a-half-year deal with the Reds.

Evoking memories of his historic 6-1 victory with Ahli over Zamalek in 2002, Jose dropped a joke about the date he starts his new tenure in Cairo.

“I am optimistic to return on 6-1. My hotel room is 16 as well! It’s a coincidence, but it makes me optimistic,” said the former Benfica manager.

“My objective to help the team win every competition and thus deny Zamalek from winning the league for a seventh straight year!

“I don’t promise anything though. In football there are no promises.”

Formation

Jose played down the significance of the playing formation he will apply with the league holders, but hinted that he could rely on the traditional 3-5-2.

“We will play with the formation that suits the players and the one we could win matches with,” he added.

“In the last match against Zamalek, the best three performers were sweeper Hossam Ghaly and center-halves Wael Gomaa and Sherif Abdul-Fadil, so there is nothing wrong with the 3-5-2.”

Jose’s predecessor Abdul-Aziz Abdul-Shafi ‘Zizo’ switched to the 3-5-2 formation during his short spell with the team in December, even though Hossam Al-Badri applied the 4-4-2.

During his glittering spell with Ahli in the last decade, Jose played with a 3-5-2 formation, mainly relying on Ghaly, Emad Al-Nahhas and Shadi Mohamed as sweepers.

New signings and outcasts

Jose ruled out his interest in some of the Egyptian league hotshots, including ENPPI ace Walid Soliman and Ismaili duo Abdullah Saied and Hosni Abd-Rabou.

“I didn’t ask for any new players because I am aware of the club’s financial situation, not to mention that I don’t need any of the players you mentioned,” the 64-year-old said.

“I have Shehab Ahmed, Hossam Ashour, Ahmed Hassan and Moataz Eno in Abd-Rabou’s position and there is Mohamed Abou-Treika and Mohamed Barakat, so there is no need for Soliman.

When asked about outcast players like Mohamed Shawky, Jose replied: “Shawky left the club in an inappropriate way during my first spell with the team, but my relationship with his is fine.

“He remains a friend and if he impresses me, he will find his place. The same goes for Osama Hosni or any player who will perform well.”

Shawky and Hosni have hardly played for Ahli this season under Al-Badri and Zizo.