El-Badry has struggled with lack of funds Hossam El-Badry has quit as coach of CAF Champions League title holders Al-Ahly of Egypt after they qualified for the group phase. El-Badry, who guided the Cairo Red Devils to a 3-2 aggregate victory over Esperance of Tunisia in the 2012 final, told Egyptian reporters he had signed a one-year contract with Libyan club Al-Ahly Tripoli.
Lack of funds to strengthen the Egyptian giants appears to be behind the surprise move with a security-related ban on spectators in Egypt cutting off precious gate revenue.
Cash-strapped Ahly lent defender Ahmed Fathy and striker Mohamed \'Geddo\' Nagy to English Premier League newcomers Hull City and talismanic midfielder Mohamed Abou Trika to a club in the United Arab Emirates.
It has left the Devils short of experience with defender Wael Gomaa, midfilder Mohamed Barakat and striker Emad Moteab the only links with the all-conquering squad of the past decade.
A draw to split the eight survivors into two groups will be made on May 14 in Cairo and Ahly and Esperance are the teams to beat in the chase for a $1.5 million (1.1 million euros) first prize and a FIFA Club World Cup place.