“I didn’t insult anyone in the club (Zamalek),” Saad told local TV show Good Morning Egypt on Thursday.

“The press made up lies about me,” he insisted.

Egyptian newspaper Al-Masry Al-Youm had quoted Saad as saying he did not approve of Michel’s behavior.

The paper also claimed that Saad, who was sacked by Zamalek after a clash with the French boss last week, hit out at the club’s officials.

“All I said was that I didn’t abandon Zamalek and that I was forced to leave the club. Anything else is a lie.

“I have a lot of respect for myself and my history, and I would never insult anyone in such a way because I’m not looking to make a scene at the expense of Zamalek,” he added.

Saad went on to explain the events surrounding the incident that resulted in his sacking, denying reports that he was engaged in a fight with Michel and asked him to leave the premises.

“It doesn’t make sense,” said Saad. “He’s the head coach for god’s sakes, how can I kick him out or ask him to leave the field?

“All what happened was that Zamalek president Mamdouh Abbas summoned me into his office and asked me to leave the team, so I did.”

Saad’s sacking came in the aftermath of Zamalek’s exit from the CAF Champions League round of 32 at the hands of Sudanese champions Al-Hilal, 4-2 on aggregate.