Le Matin: You have just been presented to the press as officially the new coach of DHJ. Can we know what your first impressions are?

Hassan Shehata: First of all, I would like to thank the leaders of DHJ for allowing me to fulfil my wish to coach in Morocco. Because I had this ambition, since the warm welcome I received in Fez during the Zamalek-MAS match. On the other hand, if I am here today, it is because my impressions are good. The Jdidi leaders contacted me almost a month ago. They unveiled the main lines of their project to me. I also gave my ideas. And then quickly, they told me that it was me they wanted to coach the club. Immediately, it pleased me. Three days ago, I had a very good welcome in Morocco and after my first contact with the governor of the province, I felt that I was dealing with very serious people who want to develop football even further in El Jadida. You spoke of an appropriate choice by coming to DHJ, does that mean you received other proposals before landing in El Jadida?

Several proposals from the Maghreb and other countries, especially from the Gulf. What are the reasons that pushed you to accept the DHJ offer?

There are many. I discussed with the Jdidi leaders in Cairo who told me about their projects, their ambitions and their objectives. I found that very interesting. I must say that I have only heard good things about DHJ and all the echoes that reached me from this club encouraged me to come, especially since, for me, such a challenge was a dream. It has been some time already that I wanted to try an experience in Morocco, I wanted to rub shoulders with this football closely and the opportunity is given to me today with a club as prestigious as it is ambitious. Can we know on what basis the agreement with DHJ was concluded?

There are two things we agreed on: to continue the work already started according to the club's policy and to improve the team's performance next season by improving its results. The second thing is long-term work with a very ambitious project: the training of young talents from the region. What objectives have been set for you by the DHJ officials?

When you coach a team of the stature of DHJ, you don't need to be given objectives. DHJ is a team that must play for titles. In a word, we are here to win at every outing and aim for success in every competition. Then when the people around you are very available and you lack nothing or almost nothing, everything remains possible. DHJ must play leading roles. We agreed on that. Initially, it will be necessary to impose ourselves in the championship, then we will have to aim further. But everything in its own time. Still, the squad must be of quality, what judgement do you have on the one at your disposal?

At first glance, it is of quality, I felt that on the players' side, there is a good work mentality. For the short term, it is not enough insofar as I need to better ensure good organisation on the field, significantly improve collective strength and animation and especially find solutions to the problem of a real deep striker. In football, you must not stop working, looking for the next level and we are here to make progress at each of our outings. Do you have an idea about the DHJ team?

I watched this team and I was able to see some sequences through recorded matches and especially the two matches against Al Ahly played in Cairo and El Jadida. I suppose that DHJ, by facing Al Ahly, succeeded in its undertaking thanks to good occupation of the field and the tactical discipline of its players in addition to their commitment and very good defensive retreat. On the other hand, I am someone who is interested in Maghreb football, not only Egyptian football. So, from time to time, I try to find out about everything that is happening on the Internet or through satellite channels. It's for my personal interest. In a word, DHJ is a team that commands respect. Don't you think the transition will be difficult after this unexpected change of coach?

Not at all, because I believe that the transmission will be done in a very intelligent way. But rest assured, I am a very frank man and a man who holds his word too much. Because, in Islam, a promise is part of good behaviour to honour one's word, which, once given, becomes a commitment… Everyone is wondering now what your vision of things is and if you are going to continue with the method of your predecessor.

Each coach has his own vision of things, his own conception of the game and his method of work. I am going to subscribe to the club's policy which has very precise objectives, but I have my own method of work. Are you going to work with the same staff?

For now yes, we won't change anything, the old staff will remain in place. But I will be supported by an Egyptian executive regarding the training centre. He will be in a way technical director and I, obviously, will be general manager. Do you think you will succeed in your bet?

You know, I am a coach who has proven a certain number of things in Africa and the DHJ players certainly know me. They know who I am. They know that I am a coach who has game profiles, who has ideas and a high demand in work. If one of my players wants to wear the DHJ jersey as a starter, he will have to prove to me that he really wants to, that he is very disciplined, and that he is a hard worker. I will also make the effort to see the young players who have potential and who can make a leap among the seniors. Let all the players become aware of their potential and work because they have to work more if they want to participate in a beautiful adventure with me as coach.