The Egyptian champions are still tight-lipped over the successor of Hossam Al-Badri, who left the club last month following a series of disappointing results on all fronts.

They drop some hints every now and then but insist they are yet to settle on the new tactician. The club recently revealed that they would announce their new coach following the Cairo derby on December 30.

Some of Ahli fans mentioned Jose's name in more hope than expectation, given the huge impact the Portuguese boss made during a glorious five-year reign before departing in the summer of 2009 to take over at Angola.

"All choices are on the cards, we can't rule out any name," Ahli's transfer guru Adli Al-Qaeyi said in a television interview on Sunday.

"The players or officials who express their desire to bring Jose back represent themselves, but nothing official came out of the club."

Jose earned a cult status among the Red Devils' faithful after leading the team to a host of domestic and African titles.

He is not having the best of spells with Saudi Arabia giants Ittihad, who slipped to third in the league table after a run of seven consecutive draws.

German Winfred Schafer, Frenchman Herve Renard and Portuguese Paulo Duarte are also mooted as candidates to take up Ahli's prestigious managerial seat.

"Don't be surprised when he announce our new coach," Al-Qaeyi added without elaborating further.

Ahli, who lie fifth in the Egyptian Premier League table but still have two games in hand, are currently managed by club icon Abdul-Aziz Abdul-Shafi 'Zizo' on a temporary basis.