The Egyptian Football Association (EFA) has parted ways with Portuguese coach Rui Vitoria after their embarrassing last 16 exit at the Africa Cup of Nations last Sunday.
EFA announced his sacking on Sunday with the appointment of former coach Mohamed Youssef on an interim basis.
The record seven-time African champions lost 8-7 on penalties to the Democratic Republic of Congo following a 1-1 draw after extra time in San Pedro.
“Thanks to Roy Vitoria and his assistant staff,” EFA said on Sunday.
The loss in the last 16 was a bitter pill for the Egyptians, who had gone to Ivory Coast hoping to win a first Cup of Nations since 2010, a year before talisman Mohamed Salah made his senior international debut.
The team had already lost the Liverpool star to a hamstring injury, after what local pundits called a lacklustre group stage performance with three draws.
The EFA had last week “apologised” to Egyptian fans for “not achieving their ambitions”.
Vitoria, whose tenure with the Pharoahs lasted two years, is among a host of AFCON coaches on their way out.
The tournament has been a success for the continent’s underdogs, and disappointing for its heavyweights.
The five top-ranked African nations were all knocked out before the quarter-finals, as well as the four semi-finalists from the last edition.
