Hector Cuper's future as Egypt manager is set to be clarified on Wednesday, two days after they ended their World Cup campaign bottom of Group A, but the country’s football association has already dropped a broad hint that he is on his way out.
With Cuper’s contract at an end, the Egyptian Football Association seemed to confirm they would not be renewing it after a post on their Twitter feed thanked "the technical staff following the end of its contract".
"We will hold a news conference on Wednesday to answer all the questions," it added.
Cuper had been non-committal about his future after they lost their last group game to Saudi Arabia on Monday and exited the tournament without a point, saying he would "see what will happen" after meeting with the EFA when they returned to Cairo.
Cuper had looked set to sign a new deal before the World Cup, but three defeats in Russia did not sit well at home. Local media reports said the Egyptian government and parliament had called for investigation into the World Cup performance.
Parliament’s sports committee described the team’s showing as a "disgraceful representation" and the loss to Saudi Arabia as “humiliating”, accusing the EFA of committing “serious violations” in a statement released on Monday.
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Egypt's Mohamed Salah reacts after Saudi Arabia's Salem Al Dawsari scored his side's second goal during the two teams' Group A match. AP -
Egypt's Mohamed Salah, right, scores the opening goal during the Group A match against Saudi Arabia. AP -
Egypt's Mohamed Salah in action with Saudi Arabia's Abdullah Otayf. Reuters -
Egypt's Mohamed Salah gestures during the match against Saudi Arabia. Reuters -
Mohamed Salah of Egypt reacts after scoring during the Group A match against Saudi Arabia. EPA -
Egypt's Mohamed Elneny and Mohamed Salah, right, talk with referee Wilmar Roldan. Reuters -
Mohamed Salah of Egypt shows appreciation to the fans following his side's defeat against Saudia Arabia. Getty -
Egypt's Mohamed Salah looks dejected after the match. Reuters -
Mohamed Salah of Egypt walks off the pitch following his side's defeat against Saudia Arabia. Getty -
Egypt's Mohamed Salah looks dejected. Reuters -
Mohamed Salah scores Egypt's first goal. Reuters -
An Egypt fan with a sticker of Mohamed Salah of Egypt on their phone, before the game against Saudi Arabia. Getty -
Mohamed Salah of Egypt in action during the Group A match against Saudi Arabia. EPA -
Mohamed Salah in action against Saudi players Abdullah Otayf, left, and Salman Al-Faraj, right, during their Group A match. EPA -
Mohamed Salah reacts after the Group A match between Saudi Arabia and Egypt in Volgograd. EPA -
Mohamed Salah reacts during the Group A match between Saudi Arabia and Egypt in Volgograd. EPA -
Egypt's Mohamed Salah reacts after Saudi Arabia's Salem Al Dawsari scored his side's winning goal. AP -
Mohamed Salah of Egypt scores his team's first goal during the Group A match against Saudia Arabia. Getty
Other reports said some angry fans hurled obscenities at the team when they arrived back in Cairo on Tuesday.
Cuper, 62, was appointed in March 2015 and ensured Egypt's first qualification to the World Cup since 1990, as well as taking a relatively inexperienced side to the final of the most recent Africa Cup of Nations early last year.
A former Argentina international, Cuper made his name as a manager by taking Mallorca to the European Cup Winners' Cup final in 1999 and then Valencia to successive Uefa Champions League finals in 2000 and 2001.
Egypt will have to move quickly to firm up their coaching situation, with 2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers coming up in September.
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Read more on World Cup 2018:
Mohamed Salah apologies to Egypt fans following World Cup exit
Saudi Arabia earn 'important' World Cup win over Egypt to finish third in Group A
Mohamed Salah plays down retirement rumours after Egypt bow out of World Cup
In pictures: Oldest World Cup players list now topped by Egypt's Essam El Hadary
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