No Zamalek return for Mido

السبت، 08 مايو 2010 - 08:32

كتب : Hatem Maher

Middlesbrough-bound striker Mido is not ready to make another return to Zamalek, the Egyptian striker said on Saturday.

Mido surprisingly joined boyhood club Zamalek last summer on loan after Middlesbrough were relegated to the English second division but he could not make the expected impact in Cairo.

He managed to score just one goal during his short Zamalek spell and failed to fulfill his main objective in Egypt - earning a call up to the national team's squad for the African Cup of Nations.

Having missed out on Hassan Shehata's roster for the tournament which the Pharaohs won for a third consecutive time, Mido opted to cut short his Zamalek stint.

He moved to English Premier League side West Ham on another loan deal in January but he could not score any goal for the Hammers, who emerged winners from their battle to avoid relegation.

Zamalek, who struggled up front this season, came calling for Mido again but the towering frontman is determined to continue a European adventure that he began 10 years ago with Belgian side Gent.

"I will not return to Zamalek next season. My spell there in the first half of the season was not successful for many reasons, but I don't want to talk about that now," Mido told FilGoal.com.

"I fully respect Zamalek coach Hossam Hassan but the club's administrative and financial problems prompted me to leave in January."

No Pay cut

Mido is considering remaining at Middlesbrough, who now play in the second tier of English football, although he ruled out that possibility before.

"I have some offers from Turkish and Greek clubs but I'm yet to make up my mind. I will carefully consider them after the end of the season.

"However, I will have no problems returning to Middlesbrough if I do not find a suitable offer.

"I had problems with (former Boro coach) Gareth Southgate but he is not in charge anymore, so there should not be troubles. I'm ready to help Middlesbrough return to the top flight."

But Mido will no longer take a severe pay cut to remain in England.

The 27-year-old accepted a nominal £1,000 weekly wage with West Ham to resurrect his career in the Premier League, having played for Tottenham Hotspur, Middlesbrough and Wigan Athletic in the elite competition in the past few years.

"I had no option but to do that (accept a pay cut) because I lost many things after returning to Egypt," Mido added.

"But I will not do that again. According to my contract with Middlesbrough, I will earn £50,000 a week."

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