Bradley signs Egypt deal

Former USA coach Bob Bradley on Thursday put pen to paper on a deal to coach Egypt with the aim of taking the Pharoahs to the 2014 FIFA World Cup™ finals in Brazil. Bradley, 53, takes over from Hassan Shehata who led Egypt to three CAF Africa Cup of Nations titles, but failed to qualify them for the 2012 edition in Equatorial Guinea and Gabon after seven years in charge of the team. The American, who himself was dismissed as USA coach in July after more than four years in charge, has been charged with the daunting task of rebuilding the Egyptian squad and end the country's two-decade long wait for an appearance at the FIFA World Cup™. “I know Egyptian fans are eager to watch their national team in World Cup action after a lengthy absence,” Bradley told CNN Arabic. “Egyptian Football Association chairman Samir Zaher talked to me about that and stressed that playing in the World Cup represents the main objective,” he added. “I’m sure I can fulfil it.” While coaching the Stars and Stripes, Bradley faced Egypt in the 2009 Confederations Cup, a match in which the United States won convincingly. “I know that there’s a big difference between Egyptian and American players,” Bradley said in a recent interview with CNN Arabic. “The Americans are more professional than their Egyptian counterparts, but the Egyptians are more talented." “I have been following the Egyptian national team since the Confederations Cup,” Bradley said. “I know they have very good abilities, which helped them win the Nations Cup three times on the trot.”