Officially.. Air Force Negotiations with Basem Qassem Fail

In a new step after a disappointing season, the interim administrative body of the Air Force Club opened negotiations with the esteemed coach Basem Qassem to lead the team in the upcoming season, attempting to benefit from his remarkable historical record with the Falcons, but the negotiations quickly reached a deadlock due to sharp disagreements regarding the composition of the coaching staff.

Coach Basem Qassem, who is considered one of the most prominent names associated with the Air Force Club, previously led the team in more than 60 matches, losing only four, achieving very impressive results according to several sources, as described by the fans, the most notable of which was winning the AFC Cup title, an achievement that remains etched in the memory of the club and its fans.

According to sources close to the matter, the Air Force administration expressed a serious desire for Qassem's return to lead the team, especially after a season that did not meet the aspirations of the fans, but the coach stipulated from the beginning that his son Ahmed be included in the coaching staff, which was met with refusal by the interim administration, which insisted on not including any member in the coaching staff that had not been previously agreed upon.

In response to this refusal, Basem Qassem took a clear and explicit stance, stating:

“They should not contact me again. They have no right to interfere; I am the coach and I am responsible for my choices. This same staff achieved fourth place with Al-Student Club last season, and the Student administration acknowledged its success and competence.”

When asked directly about the possibility of returning to coach the Falcons if the administration later agreed to include Ahmed Qassem in his coaching staff, the response was definitive:

“No, not at all. The matter is over for me.”

This stern statement from the veteran coach reflects the significant gap that has developed between the two parties and puts the Air Force administration in a complicated position, as they hoped that Qassem's return would be a step to bring the team back to the path of championships, after a season that saw a noticeable decline at all levels.

For its part, the Air Force administration has not yet issued any official statement in response to Qassem's remarks or to reveal potential alternatives for leading the team, amid a state of anticipation in the sports community and among the club's fans, who were hoping for the return of the man who created their Asian glory.