The Swiss tactician signed a one and half year deal with the White Knights on Sunday in the presence of club vice president Mohamed Amer.

Decastel, who was relieved from his position as Etoile du Sahel coach in October, previously worked in Africa with Esperance, Club Sfaxien, Wydad Casablanca and ASEC Mimosas.

As a player, the 54-year-old represented Switzerland between 1974 and 1989, as he played for Neuchatel Xamax, Servette FC and RC Strasbourg in France.

Zamalek have been looking for a new coach since the sacking of Reiner Hollmann earlier in the season.

Football director Ahmed Refaat and trainer Ahmed Ramzi have been acting as interim coaches over the last two months.