New Al Ahly head coach Jose Riveiro has reportedly made a request to club president Mahmoud El Khatib ahead of the FIFA Club World Cup.
The Spaniard was officially unveiled as the club's new head coach on Thursday evening, taking over from Swiss tactician Marcel Koller who was sacked after failing to reach the CAF Champions League final.
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Selecting a squad for the upcoming Club World Cup is first on Riveiro's agenda as the tournament gets underway on 15 June against Major League Soccer side Inter Miami.
According to Kooora, Riviero has asked El Khatib of reducing the squad for the tournament instead going with 35 players.
The report surfaced after claims about veteran full-back Ali Maaloul potentially leaving the club, with his contract set to expire at the end of June.
"Maaloul's contract expires at the end of the current season, and new coach Jose Ribeiro has reservations about the player staying," the source told Kooora.
"Maaloul will not remain with Al Ahly next season, and there are attempts with the Spanish coach to include the Tunisian full-back in the team's roster for the Club World Cup."
