Record eight-time African champions Al Ahly named Egyptian Fathi Mabrouk as coach on Tuesday after firing Spaniard Juan Carlos Garrido.

Mabrouk had a short spell as caretaker coach last year before Garrido was placed in charge of the Cairo Red Devils.

But failure to qualify for the CAF (Confederation of African Football) Champions League group stage and a faltering domestic title campaign cost the Spaniard his job.

Mabrouk has been part of the Ahly coaching setup for several seasons and debuts Wednesday when Ahly play Al Nasr in the national championship. His challenges include successfully defending the CAF Confederation Cup, starting with a playoff against Tunisians Club Africain this month.