The source said that Jose told the players of his intentions after Sunday's 2-0 win over Platinum Stars of South Africa in the CAF Champions League.

"Jose told the players on the way home on the bus that he wanted to say goodbye before he left the team," the source, who spoke on condition of anonymity said.

"The players were not clear on what Jose meant…he could have been making a joke," the source added.

Ahli's assistant coach Hossam Al-Badri refused to confirm Jose's alleged exit but said that the club's football committee will meet with the Portuguese manager to decide on his future.

"He (Jose) could stay and could leave," Al-Badri told FilGoal.com. "His future at the club will be determined when he meets with the football committee tonight (Monday)," he added.

The Portuguese tactician has won a host of trophies with the Red Devils over the past four years and is widely credited for rejuvenating an Ahli side that hade suffered for over two seasons.

However, since Ahli's defeat in the 2007 CAF Champions League final against Etoile Sahel, Jose has come under scrutiny from local media for the declining performances of the Egyptian champions.

Jose has attracted interest from all over the region and has been recently linked with Ittihad Jeddah, Sundowns of South Africa and even the Portuguese national team.