Langeler aims to build future stars for Al Ahly as youth development chief

Art Langeler, the newly appointed manager of Al Ahly SC's youth sector, expressed his excitement about taking on the challenge, pledging to use his extensive experience to develop young talent and ultimately strengthen the senior team in the years ahead.

The 55-year-old Dutch coach revealed his vision for the role, emphasizing his commitment to nurturing a new generation of players capable of contributing to Al Ahly’s future success.

"I was a professional football player, and after retiring, I pursued coaching, eventually earning the highest coaching license in the Netherlands," Langeler explained in a recent interview.

"My coaching journey began at PEC Zwolle in the Eredivisie, before I spent several years at PSV Eindhoven, one of the Netherlands' top clubs. I also had the honor of coaching the Dutch Olympic team and serving as the Director of Football Development at the Dutch Football Association," he added.

Langeler acknowledged the strength of Al Ahly’s reputation even before his appointment, saying: "Al Ahly is a legendary club, and I was well aware of its stature. The youth sector here is extremely well-organized, with excellent facilities and top-quality pitches, all of which are crucial for developing young players."

The Dutch coach outlined his three main objectives for the youth sector: "First, I aim to implement a unified playing style across all teams, creating a clear, cohesive philosophy that will ease the development process. Second, I plan to enhance the capabilities of the coaches, drawing on my experience and Dutch coaching credentials. Finally, and most importantly, my goal is to fast-track the transition of youth players into the senior team; that’s the ultimate purpose of any youth development system."

Langeler has already met with key club figures, including Sporting Director Mohamed Youssef and Deputy Sporting Director for the Youth Sector, Walid Suleiman, to discuss the structure and plans for the youth sector.

"In the initial phase, I’ll focus on building strong relationships with coaches, attending training sessions, and closely monitoring matches," he said.

While acknowledging the importance of talent, Langeler stressed that a player's mindset plays a crucial role.

"Talent is vital, but it's a player’s character and inner drive that make the real difference. Ambition and determination can propel a player to the highest levels," he said.

Langeler also pointed to some of the top stars who’ve trained under his guidance: "I’ve coached Frenkie de Jong of Barcelona, Steven Bergwijn, now playing in Saudi Arabia, and Cody Gakpo, the Liverpool forward."

To Al Ahly's fans, Langeler issued a rallying cry: "We want the youth teams to play with the mentality and desire to win, aspiring to be the best. I urge fans to support the youth players and encourage them positively, so we can see them shine in the first team and help bring more titles to the club."

Reflecting on Al Ahly's recent victory over Zamalek in the Cairo derby, Langeler said: "I watched the goals, and the win was truly fantastic. The derby was full of energy, and the players showed tremendous spirit to secure the victory in the end."