Al Ahly head coach Jose Riveiro has reportedly had a disagreement with Malian international Aliou Dieng over issues related to playing time.
According to Ahly News, tensions flared after Dieng was left out of the starting lineup in the club’s first game of the league against Modern Sport, a game they played out to a 2-2 draw.
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This decision reportedly caught both the player and some of the coaching staff by surprise as they expected him to play in the absence of midfielders Marawan Attia and Imam Ashour unavailable.
The report has suggested that Dieng was furious over his omission and confronted Riveiro, leading to an altercation between the two.
It is said that the situation prompted intervention from assistant coach Emad El-Nahhas, who urged the 27-year-old to stay calm and focused ahead of upcoming fixtures.
Dieng's future at the club has been under scrutiny, with his current contract set to expire at the end of the season and no renewal signed yet.
The issue is seemingly to have been resolved between the Vigo-born manager and his Dieng, as the midfielder played in the Red Devils' 4-1 win over Pharco in their second game recently.
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More so, the midfielder has reportedly requested a new contract that guarantees regular playing time, a condition Riveiro and the management refused.
The former MC Alger star has, according to reports, also attracted interest from clubs in the Gulf region. He spent the 2024/25 season with Saudi First Division side Al-Kholood on loan after he was not in former coach Marcel Koller’s plans.
