"Salama handed in his resignation and the board members failed to talk him out of leaving," a statement on ENPPI's official website read.

Al-Sayed, who served as Salama's assistant, will fill the gap till the petroleum side name a new tactician.

ENPPI had a frustrating start to the season, having lost to Angola's Santos and ES Setif 1-0 and 4-3 respectively in the CAF Confederation Cup.

They also slumped to a defeat in their Egyptian Premier League opening match, which Zamalek deservedly won 3-1.

Presumably, the recurrent losses prompted the departure of the former Tersana boss.

Salama, who took charge of ENPPI a couple of seasons ago, was praised for leading his team to the Egyptian Cup final twice on the trot.

They lost 2-1 to Zamalek and missed out on the title in 2008's final, and were beaten by Harras Hodoud on penalties in the next year.