Mido no longer welcome at Ajax, added to transfer list

21 May: Several reliable Dutch media, including NOS Teletekst and soccer weekly Voetbal International (VI), have announced that Ahmed 'Mido' Hossam will not return to Ajax for next season. The Egyptian striker (20) was loaned out to Spanish Primera Division side Celta de Vigo in March of this year after having been banned from the Ajax squad by head-coach Ronald Koeman for the third time in his short Ajax career. Ajax's management and technical staff decided that he is no longer welcome.

In recent weeks there seemed to be a way out of the conflict, as Ajax's technical director Leo Beenhakker announced that "the door was still ajar" for Mido in Amsterdam. Mido himself appeared to be moderately positive about a possible return as well. Beenhakker planned a trip to Vigo to see Mido in action for Celta and to discuss his future with him. The technical director had to cancel his flights twice, as Mido did not see action in two consecutive Celta home games, due to an injury and a suspension, respetcively.

Meanwhile, the striker was quoted by several Spanish newspapers, saying that he did not feel guilty for anything and that Koeman was to blame for the whole conflict. This, so it turns out, 'closed the door' for Ajax. "It's clear now that we will have to look for external solutions", said Beenhakker in Voetbal International. "This is very disappointing (...)."

Mido's agent, Roger Henrotay, was quoted in the same magazine: "It's hard to change Mido. When he was banned from the squad by Koeman I already feared that the split was going to be final. It's almost impossible to make him change his mind once he's convinced of something."

Ajax intends to sell the striker now. The club did not reveal the desired transfer fee, but AT5 text claims this is 10 million euros, whereas VI reports that the Egyptian costs 12 million euros. Celta de Vigo is said to be interested, but as yet unable to pay the fee. If Mido can not be sold he will be loaned out for another season, to Celta or - according to unconfirmed rumors - possibly Lazio Roma.

Mido joined Ajax prior to the start of the 2001-2002 season, coming from Belgian First Class club AA Ghent. He had a rather unsuccesful start in Amsterdam, but ended up being the hero of the season, scoring ten goals in Ajax's winning streak at season's end, to clinch the 2002 Dutch championship. This season, however, he lost his starting spot to Zlatan Ibrahimovic and got into a conflict with head-coach Ronald Koeman, He was removed from the Ajax-1 squad no less than three times, for disciplinary reasons. The last time was on 28 February, on which date Ajax announced that the ban would this time last until season's end. He joined Celta de Vigo on 15 March. (MP)

(Sources: NOS Teletekst, AT5 Text, Voetbal International)